Hi All!-Anyone starting chemo this month?

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rylotajo
rylotajo Member Posts: 11
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
Hi All!-Anyone starting chemo this month?
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  • rylotajo
    rylotajo Member Posts: 11
    edited June 2009

    I just started posting on these boards, I did a bit of lurking just to find where to post, then someone suggested this forum.  I was dx on 4/20, had a mastectomy on 5/7, and now I am about to start chemo on the 11th.  I had a PET scan that cleared me except for a spot on my liver which the radiologist believed to be nothing, just interference from my arms because I couldn't raise them over my head.  So, then had a CT scan for my liver.  My onc. called me this moring, yes on a Sunday, to tell me that the scan was CLEAR!  I am soooooo excited!  There was absolutely nothing on my liver!!!  I feel like saying "Bring on the chemo!"  Now that I know it has not metastasized to anywhere else, I really feel like I have a fighting chance.  I wanted to share that with you all, and to ask if anyone else is starting chemo this month, or would like to be chemo buddies?  I'm so pumped right now, I feel like I can go through anything!

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  • kajhope
    kajhope Member Posts: 7
    edited June 2009

    Hi rylotajo!

    So happy for you that scans were clear,  I bet that was such a relief!  I am starting chemo this month also!  I was diagnosed on 4/14, had mastectomy on 4/30 and will be starting chemo with herceptin the week of 6/22.  I am a bit nervous about waiting so long to start chemo but they said it was okay.  Our situations sound similiar.  I am also pumped about starting chemo, I know it won't be fun but I don't want this to come back!  I also have 3 young children 9,6 and 2.  What is your next step after Chemo?  I am weakly ER+ (only 5%) but they want to do either tamoxifen or have surgery and then do an aromatase inhibitor.  I also am going to have my other breast removed and do reconstruction too.  Keep positive, your great attitude will definetaly see you through!  Michelle

    P.S.  Are you in Washington State?  I live in Tri-Cities and consult with the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

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  • rylotajo
    rylotajo Member Posts: 11
    edited June 2009

    Hi Kajhope!

    Yeah I do live in Washington state, Enumclaw area.  I too have little ones, 4 and 6.  I wouldn't worry too much about waiting, although it is the hardest part.  How come you didn't have both breasts removed at the same time?  I was not going to wait, I just wanted them both gone!  I'm not sure what chemo I'm having, I go for an "educational session" tomorrow to find out how it all works, and then chemo starts on Thursday.  I do know that I have to have herceptin, but I'm not sure about the other drugs.  Have you had to have any scans? PET? CT?  probably not if they didn't find any in your lymph nodes, so your very lucky.  With having my scans clear, it just gives me a sense of empowerment, like I really have a fighting chance.  Would you like to be chemo buddies?  It sounds like you are just as ready as I am, now if we could only skip ahead a year to the end, then that would be great!

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  • unbound
    unbound Member Posts: 7
    edited June 2009

    Hello,

    Thanks for sharing. I too was diagnosed in April 09. I didn't have surgery. Started taxotere 5/5. Second round 5/26. Third coming up 6/16. Had all the scans,i.e.,PET, CT, MUGA, and on, and on, and on...but no surgery. I wont have surgery until after the 8th dose of chemo. They even put a titanium clip next to the tumor so if it disappears, they will know where to go to do a lumpectomy. May I ask, forgive my ignorance please, why a mastectomy first? I should probably look up stage IIIa, but for kajhope, we have practically the same diagnosis.

    Thank you.

    sincerely, Unbound

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  • rylotajo
    rylotajo Member Posts: 11
    edited June 2009

    HI unbound! 

    In my case, I felt a lump, had a mammogram and an ultrasound, and there ended up being 5 tumors in my left breast alone.  So...they thought it would be best just to get rid of it all, and then follow it up with chemo and radiation.  Apparently mine was very rapid in growth.  Once I am fully healed, which I essentially am, for the most part, then they start the chemo.  So it's been just over a month now, and I feel really good, but come Thursday that will probably all change.  That's when I start the chemo.  I too had the titanium clips, 3 of them from when they did the biopsy.  Thank you for sharing, and I hope your treatments go well.

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  • White929
    White929 Member Posts: 53
    edited June 2009

    I would love to be your chemo buddy.  I was diagnosed on 5/11 and had a lump on 5/19 followed by another surgery to clean the margins 6/4.  I start chemo on 7/2 every 3 weeks; 4 times total.  Then I have radiation for 5 weeks 5 times a week.  What kind of chemo are you having?  I'm having Taxotere and Cytoxan.  I have Stage 1 breast cancer, grade 3.  I'm so glad it has not gone anywhere else on you!!!!  I too have been cleard of lymph nodes, etc.  I'll be going to Chicago (about 1 hour away) for treatments.  Looks like I'm 3 weeks behind you in starting treatments.

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  • rylotajo
    rylotajo Member Posts: 11
    edited June 2009

    Hey White929, I actually just went to my chemo education appointment today and found out that I will be taking Taxotere, Herceptin and Paraplatin, and then I have to come back the next day to get a shot of Neulasta to boost my white blood cell count.  I actually have to have chemo for about 9 months, every 3 weeks, then I get a month off before starting radiation for 6 weeks.  We could definitely be chemo buddies, maybe we could get some other people to join us too!  Nice to meet you!

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  • pinkmama
    pinkmama Member Posts: 47
    edited June 2009

    rylotajo:  I am starting tomorrow!! (june 10).  I will be doing TCH for 6x every 3 weeks. 

    I will let you all know how it goes.  Anyone else started yet?  There is another June thread incase you wanted to get some good info.  We are all in this together!!!!  I don't know what I would do without this board.  Hard to relate this journey to those not going through it.  I feel like I have a HUGE support group.

    Good luck to all of you!   well wishes sent your way!!

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  • greytmom_17
    greytmom_17 Member Posts: 162
    edited June 2009

    Hi all!  I start chemo tomorrow - CT - and am starting to feel some nerves.  My story mirrors many of yours.  I had a mastectomy 4/23 with immed reconstruction and am most of the way through expansion.  My appt is 10:15 in the morning, and I will get 4 rounds so finish the 2nd week in August.  Good luck all.  I just packed my "chemo bag".  I'm taking a throw, my IPOD, puzzle books and a novel, and please help me remember my reading glasses or it won't do any good.  Went to the dentist today and they gave me samples of Biotene mouthwash and toothpaste!  I'm ready, bring it....

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  • pinkmama
    pinkmama Member Posts: 47
    edited June 2009

    Hi There,

    Well, I did it!!!!!  My first Chemo today.  It was not anywhere near as difficult as I thought it would be. 

    Day before: 2 pills of decodron in the morning  2 in the evening

    IV saline 

        decadron

        kytril

        taxotere   every15 minutes for 1 hour, increasing cc 's until full.

        herceptin x2

        Carboplatin

    Dry mouth, slight weird taste, but minimum.  A little wound up from the Decadron.  hope I can sleep.

    Wishing good treatments to all of you.  Hope you breeze right through.

    1 down 5 to go whoo whoo!!!!! 

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  • White929
    White929 Member Posts: 53
    edited June 2009

    Great!  Thanks for the reply.  Good luck to you!!!!  I'm so glad I found this place as it helps talking to others going through the same thing!!!  Keep in touch!

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  • u32374
    u32374 Member Posts: 68
    edited June 2009

    Come join us.  Go to chemo-before during and after then find the June 09 group.  We are up and running.  Quite a few of us have already had our first treatments and are sharing stories and support.

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  • kajhope
    kajhope Member Posts: 7
    edited June 2009

    So nice to have all of you for support.  Just waiting to start my treatments,  i think all of the waiting is the hardest part.  I just want to get on with it! 

    Rylotajo-Hope your first treatment went well.  Been thinking of you.  I would love to be chemo buddies!  To answer your question I did not do a bilateral mast. at the time because my biopsy came back as DCIS.  After my surgery they found the invasive component and that I was HER2+, had I known all that I would have definately done both at the same time.  I have not had any scans done because they said my nodes were clear.  I would like to get some done because I worry. 

    Pinkmama-so glad your first tx went well! 

    Positive thoughts to you all,  Michelle

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  • sivakumararumugam
    sivakumararumugam Member Posts: 2
    edited June 2009

    My name is Sivakumar and iam writing from India. I too have been  diagnosed with oral cancer , but this is not about me,but my aunt who is 66 who has been diagnose with having  breast cancer She has undergone surgery and a course of chemotherapy . However the doctors have decided that she requires another course of chemotherapy and have started another course using Texol 300 mg to be continued for 4 times. She had the first course today.

    Regarding my cancer I underwent 3 surgeries and they seem to have removed the lymphnode affected in my neck and under my tongue. I was lucky it was in the first stage .Iam going through radiation therapy now and will complete in another 2 weeks. However iam worried about my aunt. could anybody give me some idea of the side effect of texol. the information on the internet is too clinical for me to understand .Has anybody any idea what the actual side effects are and any possible ideas on how to lessen the effects as it were.

    pls. help , my aunt is scared and there is nothing i can do to help her

    God bless you,

    sivakumar

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  • sivakumararumugam
    sivakumararumugam Member Posts: 2
    edited June 2009

    My name is Sivakumar and iam writing from India. I too have been  diagnosed with oral cancer , but this is not about me,but my aunt who is 66 who has been diagnose with having  breast cancer She has undergone surgery and a course of chemotherapy . However the doctors have decided that she requires another course of chemotherapy and have started another course using Texol 300 mg to be continued for 4 times. She had the first course today.

    Regarding my cancer I underwent 3 surgeries and they seem to have removed the lymphnode affected in my neck and under my tongue. I was lucky it was in the first stage .Iam going through radiation therapy now and will complete in another 2 weeks. However iam worried about my aunt. could anybody give me some idea of the side effect of texol. the information on the internet is too clinical for me to understand .Has anybody any idea what the actual side effects are and any possible ideas on how to lessen the effects as it were.

    pls. help , my aunt is scared and there is nothing i can do to help her

    God bless you,

    sivakumar

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  • PAP
    PAP Member Posts: 142
    edited June 2009

    Sivakumar.....I'm so glad you found this forum and so sorry to hear about all the trials you and your family are going through.  I bet the Texol you are referring to is our Taxol.  I believe the side effects are very similar to Taxotere which is a newer Taxol.  On the discussion board Chemo June 2009 there are numerous women taking Taxotere or TC which I begin next Tuesday.  Hopefully your aunt will be given many anti nausea medications to help with that.  Other than that I believe she can expect to feel extremely tired, lose her hair, possible mouth sores.  Maybe you can do a search trying Taxol and see what you can find.  Warmly, Patti in Seattle

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  • unbound
    unbound Member Posts: 7
    edited June 2009

    Hello to all from Unbound,

    Being new to this web site, and not bothering to read the instructions, I searched and searched for where I had made my last post. Learned a lot, but didn't find you all until today when I signed in to home, looked to the right of the page, and found My Recent Posts. Now I can find you easily, and thank you for responses, and sharing.

    My experience thus far on Taxotere, cyclophosphamide, epirubin and neulasta..I had anticipated nausea, but was suprized by constipation and severe burning indigestion. Had some bone and joint pain from neulasta after 1st dose, did not reoccur after 2nd dose. Insomnia at the beginning, but now realize that for me, it was related to fear and anxiety, having a lot to do with info in the books I was staying up late to read.

     I'm over that, for the most part. Quit reading books after day 12 when I was so proud to still have all my hair, then read that it would fall out between day 12 and 16 or so. I jumped out of bed to look at a calander for the date of my 1st chemo, counting back, It was day 12!  My hair would fall out in the morning!!! I was mortified.

    Things had happened so quickly those first few weeks, I could bearly keep up with it all. The next morning I put my hair up on top of my head and didn't wash, brush, or remove the ribbon for 4 days. Then the weekend came and I took a bandana with me when I went to swim thinking I'd loose all my hair to the sea witch when I went in. Sure enough, it ALL fell out. No more salon visits for high lights, no more brushing or bows.

     Actually I'm really enjoying the freedom of it all being gone now. I have a wig with long glamorous hair. I've wron it twice. I like the bandana better. Dive shops (scuba diving shops) have really cute Bulla brand bandanas with flowers (Hibiscus) and surf scenes. The paisley gets old after awhile.

    Fly to San Juan, Puerto Rico in AM for 3rd treatment, taking decadron twice a day, 1 day prior, and 3 days following, and zofran twice daily for 3 days following, then as needed for nausea. Never needed it past day 3. Feel at 50% week 1, 75% week 2, and almost normal week 3, just before getting blasted again, then start the process over, yucky, but ok, if it must be.

    (Decadron, constipation? caused abdominal bloating day 2 and 3 post 2nd dose of chemo. Lower extremity swelling a few days. All resolve with meds and elevating feet above heart during rest. Nails are brittle. Eyes get sticky, sometimes they tear strangely, unresolved to date, but using eye drops to moisturize.)

    All in all, my fears have turned to relief, and a new door has opened. I've gained new insight and empathy for people going through the diagnostic process for cancer, on chemo, with ports, and symptoms.This new knowledge, I feel, is a blessing.

    Will follow up at the end of the week when I return home. Till then, peace and joy to you and yours.

    Unbound

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  • cwilliamson
    cwilliamson Member Posts: 38
    edited June 2009

    I was diagnosed with breast cancer on May 22.  I had my first chemo treatment on June 12th.  First 5 days weren't the greatest but I seem to be perking up a bit.  Still have not lost the hair but expect it any day now.  They must shrink the cancer before they can do surgery so not sure what is in the future.  Four treatments of A/C and surgery (I think) then 4 more of a Toxane family drug.  Amazing to me how many women have this terrible disease.  Is insomnia a part of the package?

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