Starting Chemo in July 2009

Hello,

 For anti-naseau, I was prescribed Emend trifold (125 mg (1st day of chemo, 80mg x 2 (2nd & 3rd day of chemo).  Also, Dexomethasone 4mg (1 in AM and PM Day  through 4) and Prochlorperazine 10 mg (as needed).  I start chemo tomorrow and I'm a little nervous and scared, but I guess that's normal.  I will embrace the chemo as my friend and pray it seeks and destroys any cancer cells that are in my body. 

All my scans and MRIs came out fine which is a HUGE relief.  My type of cancer wants to spread so this  was great news that the MRIs and scans showed no signs of cancer in my lungs, liver, bones and brain.

It doesn't seem too many folks here are taking Adriamycin, but I am.  AC every two weeks for 4 cycles followed by taxol every two weeks for 4 cycles.  I'll get Neuclasta the day after each chemo too.

I just cut off 12 inches of long, brown hair and I'm sending it to Locks Of Love tomorrow.  It makes me happy that something good can come out of this bad breast cancer thing.  My haircut is short and stylish, but I did shed a few tears when I was in the car leaving the salon.  My sister and I said it would look better if it was shorter on the sides and then we were planning to go back this week for a touch up.  I then started laughing and saying what is there to touch up, it will just be gone in about 2 weeks. 

 I'm glad we had a lot of laughs and only a few tears.

 For those who are compiling a prechemo list, my mom who is a BC survivor told me to get paper cups and plasticware since there is usually a metallic taste from the chemo.

I wish everyone the best!!

 Connie

Hi,

I plan to suck on ice chips and drink plenty of water and vitamin waters tomorrow when I get my first dose of AC to help flush my system.  I really love my coffee in the morning, but I'll go without it.  I hope I do as well as my mom who had little side effects except the metallic taste and how her bones ached from some chemo treatment.  My girlfriend has HER 2 and says vitamin waters really helped her during treatment. 

I'm a little anxious to see under the bandages where my Power Portocath was inserted, but I guess I'll find out tomorrow. 

PauldingMom: Your husband sounds TERRIFIC, congrat's on 25 years!!! I hope DH Dad's test come back B9...

My DH has been AWESOME!!! He took 10 days from work to help me.  Two days prior to MX to help me nest and clean the house.  After surgery, in hospital and at home. whenever I needed him he was right there but yet at the same time did not hover (bless him).  He always giggled when I needed help going to the bathroom (couldn't pull my pants up or down first 3-4 days) - he was really bummed when I was able to go to the bathroom by myself...

Emotionally - I think it is almost harder on the hubby's then on us....they are so 'fix-it' orientated.  I know my DH has and still struggles with seeing me in pain or uncomfortable knowing he cannot take it away or make it better. 

I think my hubby is a keeper and the best one out there too!!

<<<HUGS>>>

To All of you who kept me sane this weekend,

GOOD NEWS

My doctor just called me.

My blood work came back, everything is good.

Ladies, I am so glad I have friends to share this, because you understand.

Hugs to all of you

Sheila

white929, thanks for the info about the Look Good Feel Good with the ACS, now I am going to a class 2 days before I recieve my first chemo

Hopeful,

Sounds like I am getting the same as you,  A/C every 2 weeks, four cycles followed by neulasta shot the next day, then taxol every 2 weeks, four cycles. Been doing ok except for the heartburn every time I eat and terrible headaches yesterday. First treatment was July 1st and neulasta shot July 2.  Sunday July 5 stayed in bed all day. My breast felt like I had a cement block on it ( I had left mastectomy with tram flap reconstruction 5/18). I don't know if it was from the shot or not. It felt worse than ever. Has anyone had this problem after the chemo and shot???? Spoke to oncologist nurse today and she said it could be from the shot,have to call her tomorrow if it still bothers me. Please let me know if anyone has or had a similar problem.  Thanks!!!

Gill, I live in a very rural area and have great care. They always have time to fit me in. I do have to drive an hour to get there. Live in rural NE How about you. it is always interesting to talk to someone who is getting treating in a rural hospital. Most rural hospitals are associated with big ones. The one I go to is associated with Denver and Omaha. The water thing is to flush it out the chemicals but there still must be left overs to kill the cells. Take it from me drink and drink some more. i like just plain water Dianne

Hello Everyone,

You are all very brave.  You will survive this and be stronger on the other end.  I wanted to remember what it was all about, I completed all treatment chemo and radiation in May.  You will meet people in this site that will be your friends for years to come.  Three of us from different parts of the states are meeting in September.  I would have never met them if it weren't for breast cancer.  So for how terrible this is, good things do come from it.  Keep your spirits high, drink lots of water, try to walk whenever possible, there is life after treatment.   Kristi

To Josybee, I was at the same schedule, 5 days later heartburn, funny feeling in the stomach, I couldnt stay any heavy food smell if i wasnt sure i would have said i was pregnant all over again. With me it was the chemo, because at the beginning of my treatment Neulasta wasnt approved by my insuranc because of the cost. I got something else but i had to go 4 times after the chemo, every day. When they finally switch to neulasta The only SE i had was very bad leg pain for at least 3 nights which kept me awake. I am not writing all these to make you nervous, I am sharing my own exp. if or when it happens you have an idea.

Best wishes

Hugs

Sheila

Ps I am sorry about my english because i wasnt born here

went to onc today. 

Was a little shocked to find that with hormone therapy and without chemo i have an 80 % of NO recurrence and only an 88% with chemo.  I wonder if it is worth it. 

Right now I am very scared.  Went through bilateral surgery fine. but chemo and losing hair is scaring me to death.I start chemo and hormone therapy 7/20, do not know what kind yet.

To stef58, Since i am new in this i am trying to know everybody little better. I was going through some older posts i read about your daughters reaction, when i was first diognosed my older daughter was 27 and my younger 24. I remember the older ones reaction completely numb, not in denial but you couldnt say a word to her, she came with me to my surgeon appointment i think that was the biggest mistake that i asked her, she needed more support than i did, we are very close but after that day i never asked her to come with me, it is not that they dont love or care for us but sometimes they are more scared than we are, i know this because her friends were telling me how destroy she was and crying. I made a deal with her that if she picks me up after my chemo will mean so much to me. At that time both of them were still home living with me.

I didnt talk about cancer, i use to give updates that i was doing okay. My younger one is different i can tell her that i am nervous about blood work or anything else its bothering me, occasionally.

We all are different try not to take your daughters feelings personally.

I hope this will ease your mind.

good luck in your journey

Hugs

Sheila

July Chemo Starters

I'm actually a "February Furie" --halfway through my chemo, still have 6 weeks of radiation to start after chemo.  My heart goes out to each of you--I certainly understand the shock, fear, and questions that go with this journey.  I'd like to just pass on a few ideas and comments that may help--if they don't, just ignore them!

First--come up with a name for your group.  I mentioned the Feb Furies; there are the March Princess Warriors, the May Marvels, (sorry, I don't remember the April name--I truly have chemo brain tonight).  You'll become the best support group ever and you'll have so much in common.  Some of you will stay in touch way beyond your chemo days and you will become good friends. A name just gives you some unity and pride as you work through this.

You May Want to Back Off once in a while--you'll soon find that different ocologists have different opinions about treatments, nutrition, drugs, activities, etc.  It can all become overwhelming sometimes.  If that happens, take a break from the boards so you don't get information overload.  I'm a Triple Neg, so I've had to do that a couple of times just to "adjust."  BTW, I'm getting the "Classical Protocol" for TN:  Adriamiacyn (x4), Taxol (weekly x12), followed by 6 weeks of rads. I've had minimal side effects (mostly fatigue).

Talk to your onc or Nurse Practitioner--don't suffer in silence, whether during an infusion, during business hours, or after hours.  You are paying them to take care of you and BC treatments/drugs have changed. Many side effects can be managed.  Your onc/treatment center has "after hour" numbers, but we're reluctant to "bother" anyone.  I think White said a good doctor won't let you suffer--call him/her. 

Some days you'll just feel like crap.  Goes with the territory.  Watch out for days 3-5 as that seems to hit many of us harder.  My onc says it's when the liver starts the "second pass."  The liver is working overtime during that phase to filter out the toxins--more reason to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, more if possible.  Decaffinated tea/drinks are fine; if you drink caffinated, then drink half again as much water (which I absolutely cannot do).

When you don't feel so hot, this is the place to vent.  One good thing about a large group (I think there are over 70 Feb. Furies now)--someone is always "UP" when others of us are "DOWN."  It's a give and take, so don't feel bad about letting it all hang out (well, that sure dates me)--we all need to sometimes.  Try to keep a positive attitude --(but tell you what, if one more person who has NEVER had cancer tells me that, there will be an ugly display).  However, there IS strength and reassurance from someone who has/is going through this. 

That's all, Folks.  I don't mean to get in the way as you start this trip--just know that you CAN do this--no one asks to be here, but you've got friends who care and will listen and will help you get through this.  Good luck and Take Care.   (((( HUGS to all)))   Helen  

lorijo: Congrat's on becoming a grandma!!!

I have two children 14 and 10 and find it amazing how well they are handling my dx.  My 14 yo son is my walking buddy (trying to keep me from becoming a recliner potato) and my 10 yo daughter is nurses assistant when it comes to emptying drains and taking a shower. 

Looks like we are on a similar cocktail...will you be on Herceptin as well?

I was hired for a new job the week after my dx and was only able to work 8 days before surgery...I too hope chemo is kind so that I can work but at the same time I am half terrified of starting a new job during chemo...Sometimes I just have to stop myself, slow down and remind myself to take it one day at a time (patience is not my biggest virtue)

Have a great night everyone!

<<<HUGS>>>

Carole - there is a brand new study (you can find it on this website) which compared women who were node negative - 3 nodes (I think) with Adrymyacin regime versus Taxotere/Cytoxin.  If you decide to go ahead and take chemo, you might want to look at it. I read about that study and took it to my onc b/c I had 2/16 nodes - so my chemo was no question, just a matter of which one.  In the study the Taxotere/cytoxin came up with less recurrance, so my onc said I could do that regimen - 4 cycles and that I would have been a woman who qualified to do that study.  I just wanted to let you know about that and if you can't find it I'll try to find the website.

White 929 - we're on same chemo day - are you ok?  Today after 2 IVs I feel human again and will probably go to work tomorrow.  Can drink and eat very tiny meals.  If you hit the wall, don't get discouraged and ask them about the anti-nausea patch for next time - that's what they're giving me and added daily pepcid for rest of my chemo.  They really tweaked my plan and were great to me last 2 days.

So hard to respond to everyone, but all the best to all - and whoever keeps reiterating "good docs don't let you suffer" - it can't be said enough - call, call, call the nurses and docs and tell them you're having trouble - they helped me so much last 2 days.