November 2009-Starting Chemo

Those of you with bilat m. were you given any advice on to what we could do to minimize scar tissue? My dr keeps telling me they will get better over time, any advise from your dr's.

ALICIA & SUE  Hope all goes well for you today Stay Strong we will survive.

I am just so at peace knowing that I am not the only one going through all this.  I stated think about it last night, big mistake, I have been so worried about Wed that I forgot all about my next set of treatment.  And then there is radiation after that.  But I am not as worried about Wed.  You girls are all amazing.  I am, by the way, proud of being a whimp.  It is part of what makes me so cute.  And I do use it to find my strength in some strange way.  I will be praying for everyone and sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to here how everyone did.  Good Luck All.  Thanks again.  Kimberly

Three hours post first chemo and fell a little buzzed, tired and a little stomach "cramping," but that's it. My chemo nurse, Marti, was wonderful. My schedule is going to be a five hour session every time. Emend followed by Benedryl w/doxe followed by another anti-emetic I can't remember then Taxotere for an hour, an hour break, Adriamycin for a 30 minute push, and Cytoxan for another 30 minutes. Too long to sit in a chair, but doable.

Kimmie and Susie, the anticipation is truly the worse part at this point. Getting the chemo was no problem except for my port itching the first 30 minutes and it aching a bit since it was still black and blue.

Another woman showed up for her last chemo for Hodgin's lymphoma. It was her 24th! I cannot complain about 6 rounds after that. The staff gathered and sang "Happy Last Chemo day to you.." and gave her cupcakes with little candles. So neat.

I hope yours went as easily as mine, Alicia. Brenda, thanks for keeping us up to date. Thanks to everyone for the encouragement and checking in to provide more info.

Let's hear for the whimps!

((((((((((bcgirlfriends))))))))))

Brenda, I just noticed that in my treatment schedule you so kindly listed at the top, it should say I will get (AC) every 2 weeks X 4 TX  (The list says X 8 TX.  Please don't make me get more than I have to!!  )    I  think I'll need to give myself a smiley for every Neupogen injection I make it through.  Let's see, that would be 32 in all.  arghhhhhhh!!!!!!  But, let's not dwell on that now.

 Sue and Alicia, congrats on one down!!!  I am truly not dreading tomorrow so much now.

  Power to the WIMPS!!!

JustMeAlicia

Hi there just read about your sweating and your heart pounding .I can remember my first night was the same it scared me ,lying in bed trying to sleep but my body was pounding, i felt my pulse and it was racing i felt my husbands and  it was going twice as fast as his then for a few days after I looked like i got sun burnt, my face and chest was a great colour ,called it the CHEMO GLOW

Joanne

Brenda, my nurse, Marvelous Marti, sprayed my port with a topical numbing that makes it feel COLD, then told me to take a deep breath and it was done. No pain, but I think the 30 minutes of itching afterwards was the cold spray wearing off. Totally worth it. When she took it out, she told me to take a deep breath again and no pain again. You can probably ask a pharmecist for the spray or a topical cream to apply before the poke. It amazes me about the difference in care between all the clinics.

I started to feel worse and worse last night after posting. My sinuses were aching so took a Clariton at 5pm. It is also supposed to help with bone pain from the neulasta shot I will get this afternoon. By six my stomach was feeling crampy and chewed a couple of Tums. At 7, my stomach was seriously upset so took a Zofram even though my doc was counting on the IV Emend to get me through the night. Went for a walk around the block to calm down a bad case of restless leg and ease the nausea. That helped for about a half hour. Finally caved and took an ativan and stool softener at 8:30 and let myself go numb. I laid on the couch listening to a Cox cable channel that only plays New Age instrumental and slept pretty well. Woke up at 3 to pee and take another Zofram and ativan. Did I mention all the cold water I have drinking this whole time? I can't help thinking that is part of the upset stomach, but do not want to take a chance on mouth sores, bottom sores, or bladder problems from all the chemicals.

I didn't have any hot flashes last night, but did the night before. Marti said it was most likely the steroids. As the chemicals wipe out our estrogen producing ovaries, I am sure they will show up more and more. At 54, they part of the program in any case. My classmates are used to watching me fan myself while I take a trip to the tropics. ;->

I miss seeing them every day. I am down to two classes and one online class. I think I will able to study on my own for the one class (I/O Psych) and just take the final in the professor's office. I will have to attend one mandatory class on the 13th (with face mask) and take the final on the 20th for Special Topics. I am trying to finish up my degree in Clinical Lab Science with a minor in Business Management. The online course is Immunology of all things and I was given an extension to get through it. Four more classes in the Spring semester and I will be able to walk with my classmates in May!

Life will go on for us!

Alicia, I read that Clariton before the Neulasta helps and walking/yoga helps with the bone pain. Walking makes sense because it helps move lymph. Good luck to both of us. Luckily for me, my onc is generous with prescribing vicodin and ativan. I believe his logic is to get through this first and worry about addiction later. The overwhelming majority of people no longer take drugs after the need for them goes away.

Best of luck ((((((((Doronet and Mouse))))))))Love to all of us!

BrendanSharon, thank you for asking about me.  I got very freaked out yesterday and had to stay off the boards for the rest of the day.  I'm glad I'm back on today though as you ladies all have good advice so far -- I HATE to hear how much the spike hurt you!!!! I am the same way about pain and medical stuff.  My SO will be there with me to hold my hand and I'll ask if I can have some of that cold spray and/or the Emla cream.  I am trying to learn all the names on here and am about to make myself a 'cheat sheet' //grin as I feel sure we will all be 'talking' over the next few months.  What a blessing to be able to reach out in this way.

JustMeAlicia, I hope your shot goes well and that the ache isn't too bad Wednesday. I think I need to add Ativan to my list of ?'s for my oncologist.  Sounds like I also need to buy some Claritin.  You guys all have the most amazing attitudes.  Through it all I have tried to stay up for my family and friends, but some days it is a challenge. 

 SueinFL: I am sorry to read about your SE's but your attitude is amazing.  Life will go on for all of us and I so admire you getting up and walking it out.  I plan on sticking to my Yoga and Walking through chemo and hopefully that will help alleviate some bad SE's.  I am most upset about menopause, as I am only 41 but it is what it is.  It helps to read the posts here and know I am not alone. 

Hi girls just starting with anti nausea meds and feeling really anxious. I cant believe how busy this place is. My appt was at 10 but just started meds and I am hungry, they have a few snacks here and it looks like someone brought some homemade bannaa bread. I was strong all morning until I walked in the office to go over test results then I had a minor breakdown. Doing better now. I was calmer after reading posts of its all ok. I have all the meds lined up for s/e they said to take a aleve and clariton 24hr before coming to get shot and they helps to prevent aches. Hope you all have a better day, keeping my fingers crossed all will be ok for me this evening I hate not being able to sleep.

Mouse6694 thinking of you right now and saying a prayer.  GOOD for you for recovering from the minor breakdown.  You are strong. 

Note to self: Bake some banana bread to take on Friday for other new friends in the drip room  

Big shout out to all my sisters!! Wow, I think we are now 15 strong, and we all know that there is strength in numbers!! Want to thank all of you who are posting about your SEs, don't pull any punches cause we all need to know what to expect and what you are doing for these SEs. Also , go back to the Sept. and October sisters to see what they did about these specific SEs. I finally got my date for " Hell Day ", I start Nov. 17th! Same date as Cafelovr. 

BrendaSharon and JustmeAlicia, you girls are amazing, I know your getting the steroid SEs, up all night eating hot flashes etc. Take your ativan and insist on it. Hang in there brave lil warriors, hope that is all you'll get from here on out.

Justme Alicia, I'm not getting a port either but make sure they don't get any Adriamyicin on your skin or let the infusion infiltrate!!! That is very important cause A can burn and cause a bad skin reaction!! You are in my heart and in my thoughts and prayers!

Sueinfl, I know you had your 1st tx and last night was hard for you, flashes and all!! Take all the meds you can get to ease this stuff. It was great that you could walk to ease some SEs. Onedown!!

Doronet473 I know today is your is your 1st TX, I'm praying hard for you 2 day. I'm so hoping that it will go well with as few SEs as possible!!!

Mouse6694, today is your 1st TX and you are in my thoughts and prays. I also had a double mastectomy but mine still isn't healed. I haven't asked my surgeon yet about scars cause I still have to have one more surgery to put in the implants. I have a friend who had dble. mast. and she is a nurse I'm going to ask her what she recommends. Hang in there sis!

Portergirl99, hey sis, another her2+ girl. If I'm not mistaken you are triple positive right? I read your post and your getting TCH just like me except you get it weekly, I get it every 21 days.  I think we are the only ones doing TCH X 6  and Herceptin for 1yr. Look sis I believe that other women who have been on TCH say it is better to get it weekly cause they give you a lesser dose, meaning it is not as strong as the dense dose!! They say less SEs with the weekly dose as opposed to the every 21 day dose. I hope thats the way it turns our for you. Don't worry about the age thing because you are very young and your body and immune system will pull you thru with flying colors!! Also, since you are triple plus that means you have other options because of the ER&PR +. Those other options give you the possibility of a better outcome, TX after chemo with anti-hormone treatments. I just went back to some of your other posts and now I don't know if you are getting weekly TCH or every 21 days? Your bio doesn't say if you had surgery. Research is the key and going back to her2+ blog would be good too! Make sure you check out the list that the other girls made about what you need when you start chemo and what to do about specific SEs. Hang in there sis we all are praying for a great outcome for you and all the sistas!

Sister Suzie in Georgia, I had double mastectomy in Aug. Cancer in left breast .I chose to take them both off, though I was offered lumpectomy on left and told right breast was ok. I know myself really well and did not want to wait for the other shoe to drop even if it never did. Didn't like the odds cause Im her2+. I see you are triple positive. I do not regret my choice because I did the research and feel I would rather be safe than sorry!! I'll be getting implants down the road after chemo. What grade was your tumor? Just do alot of research, you have the time and thats a good thing!! Talk to other survivors, women with your type of cancer etc. For sure I'll be one of your cheer leaders here on the november ladies!! If you have any questions feel free to ask. 

Mommy2two, how are you? Hope things are leveling out and that your rock is with you now!!

BrendaSharon you are in my prayers along with mommytwo. Keep up the good fight!!!!!

Phillipa where are you sister, I hope your doing good today your in my thoughts and prayers.

Menevermind Im praying for you, I know your 1st TX is tomorrow and I'll be cheering you on!!!

Shelshel havent seen you on the board hope you are doing good. I know your 1st TX is on the 5th and we are all cheering you forward!!

Melinda 41 hope your doing good sis hope to see you back on the boad soon!!

Cafelovr, Hi girl, it's just you and me, we will have our 1st TX on the 17th I'll be looking forward to our sharing!! Hope your not as scared as I am!!

Coolbreeze, missing your posts hope you are doing good!!!

Joanne nice to have you posting all the way from Australia and with the good advice on SEs. Your input will be invaluable and glad your here but sorry its because of BC.

Well girls, I'm still stressing but I feel like mouse had a good idea, maybe I'll take my lap top to chemo. Still no tears but I'm kinda betting it might happen nite before chemo.. Send you all alota love and lots of the best wishes and prayers for all of us on our journey !!!! Oh I just remembered I hope hopbird comes back and checks our posts I need to know about abraxane in case I can't tolerate taxotere, because of my age.

One other thing, is anyone wearing a compression sleeve for chemo? This only pertains to sisters who had lymph nodes removed, don't remember now if any of you had any gone. I had 27, and lymph node removal puts you at risk for lymphedema!!! Bye for now all you lil warriors!!! 

ccnani -- I am TCH every 3 weeks with H every week for the initial 18 weeks, then H every three weeks for the next 8 months.  I didn't know you could do TCH every week as opposed to every three? Maybe I should ask my onco Friday? I had a lumpectomy on 9/21.  They thought it was carcinoma in situ and once they got in the found it was infiltrative.  I had a sentinol lymph node dissection removal on 9/30 and they were all clear.  Right before the lymph surgery they told me I was positive for Her2neu and would need chemo.  I was crying so hard when they wheeled me in I couldn't breathe through my nose in the oxygen mask.  I am devastated buy rallying hard.  I love my life and my boys and I don't want to die anytime soon. 

Portergirl...seems they could have saved that news for just a few hours.  I'm at Emory, not Piedmont.  I won't go into my history, I've gone on a bumpy road, but will say that I also thought it was just DCIS and then found I had a microinvasion.  Her2 cancer is aggressive, but getting Herceptin offsets that.  And they find that chemo makes the Herceptin work better.  You are going to be great, this is just insurance that a very tiny but aggressive cancer doesn't get a chance to build up.

Glad you got in the class.  I thought it was helpful, and the freebies were good.  I'm not doing TCH, although it was my other option and I thought hard about it.  Emory is trying a new Protocol that I'm doing.  They didn't really recommend it over the TCH other than that the version of Taxol I'm taking might be (and they said MIGHT) a little easier to tolerate than some other protocols.  The TCH we talked about was every three weeks for 18 weeks also with weekly Herceptin, then Herceptin every three weeks...same as you are doing.  The Herceptin alone doesn't bother me at all, other than a little stomach stuff that night....just a few belches and maybe a quick trip to the bathroom.  By the next day I'm up and running, and that whole week life is good.