CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS

You don't see Sheila?  I think she is the pink one in the four o'clock position.  It's the one with the best smile.

Welcome, aimee.  Chemo side effects vary, but the most common ones are what you have listed.  There are a lot of options to minimize or eliminate the nausea.  The exhaustion, I have no idea what can be done about that.  You have cells that are being killed off, and your body is working hard dealing with that.  I had a few places on my tongue that seemed dead or burnt, and it drove me crazy!  I have heard that there are women out there who have not lost their har, but I have never met one.  I have also heard that some lose just part of their hair, but I doubt it coems out evenly, so head coverings are probably always in the future.  Or, you can shave what is left on your head and go natural.  We are glad you found us as well.  You are going to get some good direction and advice, and a sounding board for your frustration which friends and family who have never been in your shoes cannot understand.

Welcome,

Meece

Aimee,

Yes, unfortunately, I have not heard of any women who are getting TC who do NOT lose their hair!

There is another type of chemo, CMF which will allow you to keep your hair.  It WILL still thin out and in some cases, the thinning is dramatic!   Anyway, I had Taxotere & Cytoxan, so I had the same chemo cocktail that you're having, only I 'only' had 4 tx...

Good luck with your tx!   Please keep posting here, and let us know how you're doing.

sending HUGS your way!!!

Harley

Thanks Nicole.  I had AC x 4 and T x 4.  I thought Zometa was for metastases.  With you having 0/1 nodes, is it used for preventative as well?

Have fun skiing.  

Meece,

Interesting, went to the Zometa website and it does not talk about it... read this article... http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2008/06/03/breast-drug.html

Forgot about the TN, another example of how many variations! With this said, not sure why the hormones play into it, this is for the bones...

Aimee,

I had 6 rounds of TC.  Each round was a little different.  Days 3&4 were the worst -- felt crummy, achy, woogy, stomach upset, mouth weirdness, feverish.  I did not hesitate to medicate myself with zofran, ativan and tylenol/advil during those days.   By day 5 I was recovering and felt better/stronger each day.   Weeks 2 and 3, I felt pretty good.   The SEs I had varied in intensity with each cycle.   Keep a log off your side effects and tell your onc and chemo nurse... there are plenty of things that you can do to lessen the side effects.

My hair started falling out on Day 15 -- I lost most of it. Your scalp will feel weird when it is happening -- almost sore.  It was an emotional few days for me - worse than I thought it would be.  Once it was gone, it was better.. i stopped thinking about losing it.   I had a great wig for work and going out.  Otherwise I lived in REI buffs, knit hats and scarves. 

Check out the "Anyone of Taxotere and Cytoxin" thread.  Lots of helpful information and support there. 

You can do this!  Take care of yourself and let people help you.   Hugs to you...

Ya got that right, Karen - laughter is the best medicine!

Newbies should also check out the 'how I got breast cancer thread'.  It's hilarious.  I'll bump  it to make it easier to find and then I'm saying nighty, night!

Here is one:    Forum Index → Forum: Chemotherapy - Before, During and After → Topic: Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?

I bumped it so it can be found easier.

thanks, Meece

appreciate it

Hello ladies - popping in again to wish everyone a very Happy New Year, and hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday.

I'm 7 weeks out from bilat mast w/ TE's, have had several fills so far, and seem to be doing pretty well. Right shoulder still bothers me some with certain extensions of my arm, but I'm doing my exercises to get it right again. I still get tired very easily, but overall these things are minor compared to what many of you are going through.  

I think of all of you every day, and pray for everyone, if you are just embarking on this journey, going through chemo, rads, and meds - I pray for your strength, knowledge and peace of mind with your decisions. I wish you each the very best,and I thank you for sharing your experiences and knowledge - I couldn't have gone down this path without you!  So even though I've never "met" any of you, I am grateful beyond meaure for each of you. Thank you.

Wishing you a healthy and happy New Year -xo, Erika (too!)

Hi jsh22.  I felt comfortable with my BS, med onc and rad onc and didn't get second opinions.  I'm still okay with that decision but I do occasionally wonder if I should have gotten a second, just because.  Hindsight says it couldn't hurt, but then what if the second differed from the first - would I then have to do a third to break the tie.  Decisions, decisions, decisions....  After you hear from others, do what you think will make you the most comfortable.  As I said, I'm comfortable with my decisions but then, I've been that way my entire life.

My best to you.

Harley44 and kt57: Thanks for the information.  I went ahead and purchased 2 wigs today, which my 3 year old son promptly tried on as soon as I got home.  My husband, mother in law, cousin and aunt tried them on too.  It was very entertaining.  

 I did "hit the wall" so to speak and became very tired. The doctor checked my WBC today (11 days post chemo) and it was 1400.  So now I am on antibiotics and will receive the shot starting with round 2.  Can't wait to have more energy to keep up with the kids!   

Has anyone specifically asked their oncologist test the tumor for the topo2 enzyme?   

I hadn't noticed how few HER+ girls there are here.  

Seyla, my Onc told me last year that I could start coming annualy if I wanted.  I said I didn't want, so I still see her every 6 months.  Now that I have a suspicious area, I will be getting a few more mammos at the six month intervals. I doubt that your onc would say you couldn't see him every six months.