Starting Chemo in July 2009

In June, I had a double mastectomy with immediate placement of tissue expanders. I am now recieving DD ACT. My first Tx was 7/22. Thankfully, so far all has gone well. I only had about 24 hrs of nausea on the Saturday after my first Tx. No hair loss yet, but am going tonight after work to get it cut real short anyway.  I'm not one to usually post on discussion boards, but I've found that having others to talk to who are experiencing the same thing is comforting. 

Regarding steriods...

I think one of the reasons there may be some difference as to onc's recommendations for taking them beyond what is in the IV on the day of Tx could be due to which regimen we are on.  I'm on TC and the onc RN told me that the primary reason they have me take the steriod orally on the day before and two days after tx is to prevent edema -- particularly pulmonary edema, which can require hospitalization.  The anti-nausea effect is the secondary reason for giving it.  Edema is a known SE of Taxotere.  Perhaps the same concern does not exist with Adriamycin.  Just a thought. 

I'm exhausted today.  Had pretty severe bone pain in the middle of the night when I didn't keep up with my ibuprofen (thought I didn't need it -- WRONG!).  I'm going to get some Alieve today as it lasts longer than ibup.  Once you get pain, it takes so much more to knock it down rather than prevent it.

Hope we all have a SE free (or at least minimal) weekend.

Diane - I was told that hair would begin to grow back after AC

Michelle - I have some sinus trouble anyway on occassion and have Allegra D that I take as needed.  That was a SE from Cytoxin that no one at the cancer center mentioned to me.  I happened to read it on a posting from the June girls.  Anyway, I make sure that I take an Allegra D prior to infusion.  You could probably take any of the over the counter sinus remedies that might help - ask your oncologist.  I think some are taking Claritin or Zyrtec.

 PauldingMom - I know how frustrated you are after typing a huge post and then loosing it.  Now, if I have a huge post, I type it in word and then copy and past into the site.

Hi,

 I just wanted to "stop" by to wish y´all all the best for your treatments and send lots of positive thoughts! This is my first post, but I´ve been reading a lot on this wonderful homepage. My mom got diagnosed with IDC, Stage 1, Grad 2 in April and since her oncotype test was 56 she started with chemo in July, after her lumpectomy.

Today I want to share some good news about my mom´s chemo with y´all. She had her 2nd AC treatment on Wednesday. Because they gave her way too much Phenergan (anti-nausea med) after the 1st cycle, I needed to bring her to the er. So this time she was really worried and scared. But I can tell you she is doing great! They adjusted her dosage and she didn´t get nauseaous, didn´t throw up, has great appetite, can eat everything and is not too too tired. She is up and running and we took a ride across town today. Also the Neuprogen shots don´t give her any problems.

Her spirits are high! She took us girls to two different wig places and we all got two wigs and went to a bar afterwards wearing them! She made it fun not only for herself but also for us!

Sure, shaving her head on Sunday evening was the hardest, most heartbreaking thing I ever had to do, but again she was very strong and we both didn´t cry.

She tries really hard to keep a positive attitude, even though it´s hard sometimes. But she always says she doesn´t want to go to the "dark place in her mind" and calls me up every time she thinks she might get there. So I can distract or cheer her up.

I wish y´all that you can keep your positive attitude up! Mom (and some of you too) will be halfway through AC in 2 weeks and we will surely celebrate that! :-) Hope y´all will do that too! Big hugs!

Yes, both infusions I've had sinus pain-they slowed it down for me & gave a nice warm rice pack that I put on my face.  Helped tremendously!

Hi Triple J's:

Day 4 today! Last night was little rough more so because of mother natures 'little visit' then anything else...The one side effect I would have been ok with (no period) and darn it I still get it!  Aaaargh!   Some body aches and a little pins and needles on my hands this morning that went away within ten minutes of waking up. 

My onc nurse also mentioned slowing the cytoxan infusion for sinus pressure.  My premeds are  Decadron and compazine the day before/after tx with  IV of Aloxi, Decadron at tx and evening of tx.

Still haven't had a decent BM since Wednesday...taking colace and prunes...hopefully some movement soon

Welcome to our newbies...thank you for to everyone who has gone before me and for all the awesome advice and input you have all provided.  

Hugs and Best wishes to all!

O2bhealthy -  Senocot works for me also.  I purchased the Walgreen brand - Senocot-S

 Pam

O2bhealthy - 6  days after my 1st treatment I got backed up.  For me, I take 1 colace in the am and 2 pm.  The other day, I only took 1 at pm but I am sure after my second treatment, I will have to start taking 2 at pm to keep things going in the right direction.

As I was moving something last night, I went flying hard onto my back, shoe fell off and phone went cell phone went flying across the room.  I was by myself at school.  Luckily, I was able to stand up and drive.  Came home and was hurting on my back & neck.  Took some pain reliever and thought for sure that I wasn't going to be able to move this morning.   Woke up feeling ok.

Even managed to get some yard work in

 Sometimes I worry that something is going to happen that will get in the way of treatment.  Never really thought about things like that before.  I have been bruising easily.  For some reason I have 2 bruises on my left hand and not sure if it is from the IV ?   Is anyone bruising.  I also have the strange redness on my right eye lid.  It comes and goes.  Kind of looks like a black eye and itches a little.

Had a few hot flashed and my period kicked in my first week along with all the other SE.  I am getting to old for periods. Wishing they would go away!

 The second week began much better.  One SE that still occurs is my toes will twitch as I am laying down or have my feet up.  Drives me crazy like a twitching in the eye.

A friend gave my a yellow bracellett  that says  "LIVESTRONG". Something that I pray for myself and others each day. 

ssimmons66:  I buzzed my hair as short as I could without going bald.  My stubbles are still coming out here and there each day.  Some people only thin...others lose it all, so can't tell you which one you will be.

My friend had to "rescue" her granddaughter (age 2) from Child Welfare at 2:30am today.  She has temp custody.  Problem....she is full of head lice!  I'm wondering...they probably wouldn't like me, so I should be ammune...right?  She is having a hard time keeping her still with the lice comb going through her hair and I'm wanting to help her...how dangerous do you think this would be Triple J's?????????

HI ALL YOU BEAUTIFUL TRIPLE J'S.  A special welcome to the new ladies.  You have joined a great and strong group for your journey.  To everyone talking about the benefit of Vitamin D.  I read the 30 minutes of laughter a day gives you 25% of your bodies daily requirement of Vitamin D.  So ladies laugh laugh laugh !!!!!!     For those asking about hot flashes her is what I do   -      My bathroom is the smallest room in my house so with the air on it is also the coldest when the door is shut.   When I get a hot flash I go set in the bathroom over the ac vent and cool right down.  My SE's especially the nausea has finally started to lessen.  Hope everyone else's is going away.    REMEMBER TO LAUGH AND GET THAT VITAMIN D.  MGBLA

Hopeful-1 - You will be in my thoughts and prayers as you take your 3rd AC.  You are just a bit ahead of me.  My 3rd will be on August 13.  Lke you, my dr. is very positive and that means a lot.  I just figured out how you got ahead of me - I see you are every 2 weeks and I'm every 3 weeks.  I think it's wonderful that you are able to work on the every 2 week cycle.  Dr. said that she was afraid if she put me on every 2 that I would not feel like working.  But, I'm also 54 years old.  LIke you, I've taken prilosec - not every day, but when needed.  How encouraging that your dr. said not to expect the treatments to get worse.  I have been dreading #3, cause one of the nurses told me that after I have 3 that I won't want to come back for #4.  But I'm not listening to her - I'm listening to you ladies who are the ones going through this with me.  I think I'll believe in your dr.!!!

ssimmons 66 -  I thought that I would take control of the hair thing and shave my head, but I just could not bring myself to have it done or do it myself.  I'm on day 30 (1st treatment was july2, second treatment July 23) and I still have some hair.  Like hopeful, when I wear a hat you can still see hair.  Manfriend even asked me about hair since he saw it peeking from beneath my hat.  In fact, we just talked about it and he reminded me that surgeon and oncologist both said that all the hair would fall out in a few days - and my hair to start with is very fine.  So, that being said, I would probably advise ladies to not shave their heads unless it just became too unbearable to watch it fall out.  Now, mine might eventually all fall out - but as of tonight, my hat looks good.  I do wear my wig to work every day and have been since about day 12.  My hair began falling out at day 13.

 SallyMae - just curious - what is your treatment - your diagnosis is almost the same as mine.  I'm 2.1 cm, Stage IIa, grade 3, 0 nodes.

Connie,

Glad to hear SE's were not as bad for you after 2nd dose.  I get my 2nd Monday.  I was not able to bring myself to shave my head either.  I could not even bring myself to cut it short.  I figure if chemo wants to come get it then it will just have to bring it on.  I'll deal with it then.  I am not going to help it.  I know its coming, ready for it just hope I have some stay.  Had a pretty good week, SE's were not bad after 5th day. 

Good luck to everyone getting treatments this week.  We will all kick this thing in the a#@.

Hi, all! LOL O2b and tougher! I like the idea of a sexy cyborg babe! Welcome, SallyMae and ather folks. Just waiting for tx #2 of A/C. The trouble with the NOT DD is that it is a long wait between treatments and I so badly want to get this over with! Thanks all for the tip on the vitamin water!

DH and I ran away from home yesterday and went to B'more to visit DH's sister & bro in law. We went to a winery outside of the city for a tour and tasting. Work has been horrible (small biz owners in recession) so we needed to flee for the day. My 20 year old was driving the ancient minivan & it died in a parking lot so 21 year old had to go rescue him. And I was GLAD we weren't around to have to deal with it!!!

Wow, finally feel normal again...today is day 14 so I have a full week to enjoy before AC #2. Even my taste buds have returned. Going to Look Good Feel Better tomorrow. Then to Onc for bloodwork. Very anxious to see what wbc count will be since I didn't get Nuelasta shot.



Have been trying to stay away from anything soy since I am 90% ER+. I've been given a bunch of protein drinks,bars, powders by friends...only to find out they are all soy proteinn. So, then I start reading labels and found that soy lecithin is in about everything.....even my whey protein powder. It's going to be hard to remove it totally from my diet, I think. (it's an emulsifier and is in chocolate, peanut butter, salad dressings, bread, etc.) Controversial, of course, as to whethere soy is a no-no or not, but thought I'd be pro-active and assume I shouldn't eat it.



A few weeks ago, it was recommended to me by Johns Hopkins Breast Center to get a second opinion on my path slides. I am in Arkansas. Anyway I sent them and they put the report in the mail Friday so I'm anxious to see if they found anything new. My 3 path reports have all said the same things, but Johns Hopkins is interested because my tumor was 6mm, grade 1 yet had moved to 3 lymph nodes, 1 being an internal mammary node..which they were able to remove. So that puts me at Stage IIIc immediately. I guess it's very unusual to see that kind of movement from a tiny, low grade tumor. I'll be very surprised if they find anything new, but it's perplexing none the less. By the way, if anyone is wanting a 2nd opinion on path slides, it was only $250 and the report is done within 6 days. And my insurance covered it. Well worth it, if it brings peace of mind to someone.



Well, Triple J's...we made it through July with much anticipation and I don't think it's a surprise that we met this challenge head on..with all the strength we could muster. We are strong, beautiful women and will never be the same because of this battle...We will know that we are able to do much more than we ever thought. That support from others is invaluable...and in spite of this disease, we have found in this group....friends....what a gift to be surrounded by others who are walking the same path. Look out August..here we come!!!!



Joni1