Starting Chemo Aug 09

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited July 2009

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    Here I am one year later - after surgery, chemo, rads, hysterectomy and currently on Tamoxifen and Zometa. 

    Leaving for Ireland today on my dream vacation! 

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  • Karen09
    Karen09 Member Posts: 320
    edited July 2009

    That's awesome EveryMinute - that will be all us August ladies next August!  :)   Enjoy your vacation to the fullest - you deserve it! 

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited July 2009

    everyminute - you look wonderful - thanks for the encouragement!!!!!   Have a wonderful vacation - well deserved.

    donna - I know what you mean about having a great support system with family and friends, but they still don't understand what it feels like - I feel like everyone here "gets it" and knows what it feels like because they are going through the same things physically and emotionally. 

    karen - how are you feeling today?

    August group, looks like we'll all be getting the Neulasta shot.........

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  • dimc
    dimc Member Posts: 26
    edited July 2009

    I started chemo in June and got the Neulasta shot with each one, didn't have a choice whether WBC was good or not.  One side effect of Neulasta gives you flu-like symptoms and congestion.  A lot of people on my other thread have taken Claritin (or generic equivalent) to cut down on those side effects. And take lots of Advil for the bone pain, it works.  Just fyi for you all as you being the chemo journey.  Every little bit helps.

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited July 2009

    dimc- Thanks for the info.  I read about the Claritin and Advil and plan on asking the doctor about it next time we talk. But I do have a question......I take Zyrtec daily for allergies, do you know if the Claritin works better or does it matter? Have you seen anything about other allergy meds or is it something in the Claritin that does the trick? I had also read about sucking on ice chips to help with mouth sores when they push the A part of the AC/T treatment (the name of the drug in on paper in the other room).  When I asked the chemo nurse she said she said they used to do that, but not anymore.  Why?  Do you know anything about this?  My thought process is it can't hurt why not give it a try. 

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  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 1,727
    edited July 2009

    Jenn -  I can't answer why they do or do not do ice chips when pushing A. I had my first A/C on Thursday. I did not get ice chips and have not suffered any mouth SEs. I was well hydrated with saline via my port both before and after infusions and drank lots during too. I am also getting an automatic neulasta shot (perhaps because of the DD?) and no ill effects from that.

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  • Karen09
    Karen09 Member Posts: 320
    edited July 2009

    Jenn - my coworker who breast cancer five years ago told me that every time she felt like she was starting to get a mouth sore during her chemo that she would garble with salt water, faithfully every hour and they never ended up coming in completely. 

    I'm feeling good today!  Thanks for asking!  I went for a walk tonight and it was nice!  Finding the days very long sometimes but good otherwise. 

    Talk to you all later!

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  • buccaneersdj
    buccaneersdj Member Posts: 241
    edited July 2009

    Can we do like a roll call as people join August 09, so that we can keep better track of start dates??

    Donna (buccaneersdj) TAC x6 every 3 weeks /start July 30

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  • YoYo44
    YoYo44 Member Posts: 203
    edited July 2009

    Hi,

    I am starting Taxol for 12 weeks Wed July 29, switch to Thursday's next week.

     Also getting the Zoladex (3 month version Wednesday (look out!  Grrr)

    AC or FEC or whatever to follow after the Taxol

    Hang in there everyone.  Take care.

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited July 2009

    I can't sleep - I think I may have to admit I'm in a terrible funk and possibly call the dr about sleep aids.  I haven't slept well since my surgery.  I cried once in the shower the day after my dx and have not cried since that time.  I guess the breakdown is getting closer........

    Roll call is good - I scrolled through and this is what I have, please feel free to correct me and/or add on as I mentioned earlier lack of sleep has me cross eyed.

    dimc - June

    Gill - July 23

    YoYo44- July 29

    Karen - July/Aug (on the border)

    Donna/bucaneersdj - July 30

    Jenn - Aug 5

    Maincoonekitty - Aug 12

    Okay - I'm off to dig out some Benadry and I know tomorrow will be a better day...........................

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  • dimc
    dimc Member Posts: 26
    edited July 2009

    Hang in there Jenn.  Definitely get something from your doc to help you sleep.  Nerves can really get the best of you at times.  Unfortunately I don't have any info re: Zyrtec vs. Claritin, sorry.  I only had a few minor mouth sores after round 2 that went away fairly quickly.  Gargle with Orajel or Crest mouthwash (neither contain alcohol) for relief if needed.   Don't know about ice chips but I agree, what can it hurt?  Take care and I hope you get some rest, everything really will be OK.

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  • Karen09
    Karen09 Member Posts: 320
    edited July 2009

    Sorry you aren't sleeping well Jenn!  Hopefully the doctor can recommend something that will help.  Hang in there!! 

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  • buccaneersdj
    buccaneersdj Member Posts: 241
    edited July 2009

    Jenn3, I hope you got some sleep! I too have nights when I am wide awake but others where I'm in bed by 9.  It's ok if you haven't "cried" enough, there's no such thing. You are a mother who is used to being the "strong" one, that is our role, you do this for your family. I have only had a few short breakdowns and then back to getting on with it. Don't get me wrong this sucks but I don't feel sorry for myself I feel angry and ready to fight! You can do this, keep your chin up!!! If you need assistance to fall asleep, go get it, no shame!

    YoYo44, Good luck tomorrow, I'll be thinking about you!!!!

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited July 2009

    I went to the nutrionist this morning and will be heading to the dentist this afternoon to get my dental work done before I start chemo.  Between the two, I went to the farmer's market and picked up creole tomatoes, eggplant and creole shrimp w/pork sausage.  I think I'm going to stuff the eggplant tonight with the sausage and serve it with a side of dirty rice. Had I not just been at the grocery a few days before it would have been like a kid in the candy store - they had so many wonderful things.

    Thanks everyone for the support- I think yesterday was a bad day.  No reason in particular, just a bad day.  I guess I (we) will have these from time to time.  Oh...... wanted to say the benadryl did the trick - fell fast asleep once it kicked in- Whew!!!! 

    YoYo - I'll be thinking about you tomorrow (((( hugs )))))

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  • Karen09
    Karen09 Member Posts: 320
    edited July 2009

    That dish sounds heavenly Jenn!!  So glad you got some sleep!  Bad days happen - but so do good days too!  :) 

    Good luck tomorrow YoYo!! 

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  • buccaneersdj
    buccaneersdj Member Posts: 241
    edited July 2009

    Gill, you are one week out from #1, how are you doing??

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  • buccaneersdj
    buccaneersdj Member Posts: 241
    edited July 2009

    Gill, sorry, I just saw your post from yesterday...glad everything is good

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited July 2009

    Today I am heading over to the breast clinic for various test that need to be done before I start chemo and the clinical trial I joined. The appts start at 9:45am - end at 1:30p.  Today will be my first blood draw through the port - I'll get to experience that and meet the nurse that does the chemo blood draws.  The upside is I'll get a lot of reading done while I'm in the waiting room(s).  I'll let y'all know how things went when I get back.

    Gill - still feeling okay after this treatment?

    YoYo - It looks like today you're starting Taxol today - I'll be thinking of you and let us know how you're doing.

    Donna - Tomorrow is your start date - have a great day today, hopefully the weather is good where you are and I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.

    Karen - I know you were starting your chemo end of this month early next month - what is your start date? I'm sorry if you told me and I've missed it..........

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  • Karen09
    Karen09 Member Posts: 320
    edited July 2009

    Sounds like a busy and tiring day Jenn!  I hope it goes well.

    I'm starting my chemo Aug 7th - my friend's bday.  Maybe that will be good luck.  I'm going to my chemo teaching appt on Friday with the oncology nurse.  She was actually my mom's nurse for one of her treatments a couple years ago.  Then I'm supposed to have my PICC put in next week, have bloodwork and next Friday is the first chemo treatment.

    Hope you are doing well Gill!  Thinking of you!

    Good luck to YoYo and Donna! 

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  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 1,727
    edited July 2009

    Jenn - good luck with your appointment. I think you will like your port. Mine was great for the tx. Today is day 8 of first tx and not quite so good. Felt like a wet noodle in the shower. But generally, I cannot complain about the first week.

    Buccaneer  thanks for checking

    Yoyo and Donna, I will be thinking of you as you get started.

    Karen, let us know how things are going.

    Hi to everyone else.

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  • kristin09
    kristin09 Member Posts: 56
    edited July 2009

    HI everyone,

    I am new to this site and have tried to catch up with everyone posting on this topic.  I am 41 and was diagnosed with IDC in early June.  Since then, I have had a lumpectomy, sentinal node biopsy (negative - yeah!) and a re-excision (boo).  I am scheduled to start chemo on August 7 - same as Karen, I believe.  I will receive TCH (Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin).  I am ER/PR+ and Her2/neu+. My biggest concern right now is the mastectomy decision.  My re-excision (original margins were not clean) showed additional cancer (DCIS) with only 1 mm margin.  All of my docs say that 1mm is on the borderline of being considered "clean", so the decision is up to me.  I am leaning toward a double mastectomy because I am not particularly attached to my breasts (other than physically, of course) and I think that I would like to see a full pathology report on both breasts to fully understand what's going on in my body.  However, as I'm sure many of you have experienced, my docs won't tell me to do the mastectomy and will simply say that there is no wrong decision.  They are very supportive but not much help.

    Anyway, I am feeling very good and my family (husband and two kids, 9y boy and 6y girl) are great and we are handling this as well as can be expected.  We just did a 2-night get-away at a local water park and it was great for a couple days of denial!  I'm geared up and ready to go.  I actually head back to work on August 3 so that I can have a week of work free of chemo drugs before I begin.

    Anyway, sorry for the long introduction.  I am excited to be part of your group and hope that I can be supportive as well.  :))

    Kristin

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  • Misty1
    Misty1 Member Posts: 272
    edited July 2009

    Hi Girls,

    I am popping in from the August 08 group.  I was where you all are exactly one year ago.  I did TC x 4 with a year of Herceptin.

    I am here to wish you all the best-you will get through this!!  My biggest concern was losing the hair.  However, I got through it, and was going without it by February.  You will, too.

    I hope you all become as close as my group.  Four of us actually got together in person in April!

    Good luck!!

    ~Misty

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited July 2009

    Kristin - welcome to the Aug 09 group - the circumstances aren't the best for meeting here, but there is lots of support on these threads.  My chances of recurrance are pretty high because I'm triple negative and one breast had to be removed along with all of the lymph nodes so for me the choice wasn't too hard.  I didn't want to do another masectomy later and I wanted to reduce my chances so I had a bi-lateral masectomy.  I really don't miss my boobs and I was pretty large.  Maybe it's because I was so large I'm enjoying the freedom of the flat chest.  My doctor didn't tell me one way or the other with the exception of the one breast he highly suggested I remove - he didn't think the lumpectomy would be a good choice.  I guess the drs don't want to be held responsible if we as patients aren't happy with our decision so they leave it up to us.  To make the decision difficult - there are many people who are fine with the lumpectomy and only one breast removed.  Glad you were able to get away before chemo and going back to work!!!! I took  short trip to the beach recently for a few days of denial - and loved every minute of it......

    Hey Misty - thanks for popping in - I have mixed feelings about the hair thing.  One minute I'm making a joke the next I'm looking in the mirror trying to imagine it. I am definitely freaked out about the possiblity of my nails looking bad or falling off - THAT FREAKS ME OUT THE MOST.

    Karen - Aug 7 was my original date before they pushed it up to the 5th. Looks like you and Kristin start the same date.

    Well - they weren't able to use the port today for the blood draw, something to do with the information for the clinical trials.  Apparently when they do the blood draw from the port there is Heprin (blood thiner) in it or used in it that can't be in the blood work for the clinical trials.  I did however meet the nurse that will do my future blood draws before chemo. I think all went well with the other test, but I'll know for sure tomorrow.  If all went well, then I can be in the clinical trial I signed up for. 

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  • kristin09
    kristin09 Member Posts: 56
    edited July 2009

    Thanks Jenn,

    I've been giving a lot of thought to the whole wig thing.  I've never been much for hiding things and a wig seems a bit like hiding, but I have been in touch with a local salon to see what they have.  I've been told that it's best to have a wig just in case so that's probably what I'll do.  Who knows, if my kids are more comfortable with me in a wig then I might do it.  At the same time, I don't want to teach them that they need to hide.  Decisions, decisions.  I'm not worried much about my nails as I tend to bite them anyway so they're short as it is!   :)

    Misty - thanks for popping in; it helps to hear from someone on the other side, especially someone that did TCH, as I am planning.  Any major side effects to prepare for?

    K 

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  • tdoehne
    tdoehne Member Posts: 30
    edited July 2009

    Hi Ladies,

    Hoping to join up with you. I will be starting Chemo on August the 10th. I will be on Taxol, Cytoxan and Adriamycin with Neulasta injections. I have not gotten any wigs or scarves, etc. yet. Finding it hard to get going with that. I am getting more and more anxious as the date approaches. Still having pain under my arm where lymph nodes were taken. Will be going for Physical therapy next week for better mobility. Port was put in about 5 days ago. Some days are good and others I just can't seem to keep it together. Thanks for all the suggestions, will keep them all in mind for the first day. Everyminute, congratulations and enjoy your vacation !!!!! Tara.

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  • buccaneersdj
    buccaneersdj Member Posts: 241
    edited July 2009

    Am I suppose to take my Claratin and Aleve before chemo or before Neulasta (which is the following day)? I swear I already have chemo brain and I haven't even got the chemo yet!!! I am also chugging Smart water I read about this on another thred, something about hydration and electrolytes?

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  • Karen09
    Karen09 Member Posts: 320
    edited July 2009

    Welcome to the group Kristin and Tara!!  I suppose if we are all having to do this, we might as well as do it together! 

    I'm facing the big mastectomy decision too Kristin.  I had a partial last week and I don't know if that's going to be enough to put my mind at ease.  It's a hard thing to face though.  Good luck with your decision too. 

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  • manue
    manue Member Posts: 34
    edited July 2009
    Hi everyone,I'm new to this site and the stories here are so touching. I'm 41 and was diagnosed with IDC in early June. After genetic testing I found out I was BRACA1+.... After that I knew what to do, I had a bilateral mastectomy on July 7. It was quite an emotional roller-coaster but after the operation I knew I had made the right decision and I'm not looking back! My husband's parents were here for 4 weeks to help with my two boys (4yrs and 6yrs). I'm recovering very well from the operation, one day at a time... I have expanders and getting my first injection next week!I met with my oncologist last wednesday and she gave me the choice of two treatments. AC (Adriamycin/Cytoxan) X4 cycle then H (Herceptin) for a year. The second treatment is a clinical trial: TH (Taxol/Herceptin) weekly for 12 weeks then H for a year. After either of those treatments, Tamoxifen for 5 years or AI ( aromatase inhibitors), removing my ovaries, bla, bla, bla... It's so much! My oncologist emphasized that I had a good prognosis and doesn't want to over-treat me! The clinical trial would be easier and I'm leaning for that... but I'm still pulling my hair out!I think the hard part in this was not telling my mother. She's diabetics (nearly blind) and ovarian cancer survivor. I'm French and I'm the only person in my family living in the US. She's fragile and I didn't want to put her world upside down. I was planning a visit this summer but had to make some excuse for not visiting her!Waiting on the dates for the port placement and chemo class... I should start chemo mid or late August! I am excited to be part of this group and hope that I can help and be supportive, Manue. 
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  • Reni
    Reni Member Posts: 81
    edited July 2009

    Hi Everyone

    I start my chemo on Aug 10 same as tdoehne. I will be taking Carboplatin and Taxotere 1ce every 3wks for 6 cycles (I am Triple Negative). I had a bilateral mast with DIEP recon on Jun 1. Luckily no lymph node involvements this time Laughing

    This for me is a new primary in the same breast. In 2001 I was diagnosed with Stage 2B and did a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. Then I did Adriamycin, Cytoxin and Taxol. Things have changed quite a bit since them I'm told but I have an idea of what to expect. I had a port put in which never worked so this time around we are going to try #1 without and see how that goes.

    Good luck to all of us....... let the games begin!

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  • dimc
    dimc Member Posts: 26
    edited July 2009

    buccaneersdj - take Aleve and Claritin before Neulasta shot and yes, keep the gatorade or Smart Water if it is has electrolytes in it on hand.  It's a nice break from all the water you have to drink.  It's hard trying to remember all these tips but once you figure it out you'll remember what works.

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