Anyone Starting Chemo Jan. 2010?

Hi Grace,

Got my port in on Friday afternoon.  Thankfully the sedation knocked me out and I woke up all done.  When the sedation and painkillers wore off, felt like someone punched me in the chest and I was sore.  Hardest getting up out of bed but I can sleep on my right side (port is on my left chest).  Was tired this afternoon, so I took a nap.  But, I must say, each time I wake up the soreness is much less and I am happy no real pain or problems.  So, the port thing for me was no biggie after all.  I think the anticipation is worse, sometimes, than the actual treatment.  I start chemo on Tuesday.  I will be wearing my Wonder Woman stuff - just like I did Friday when I was a bit fearful.  It helped me and gave the nurses and surgeon a good laugh too.  They let me wear my Wonder Woman bracelet and panties into surgery (along with the gown).    The nurses told me that when I come back to get my port out in the future, they'll all be wearing their Wonder Woman stuff, too.  LOL.

Pat

I'm starting chemo the week after next, probably January 21st, if my incision heals by then.  On the fence between AC and AC-T.

11tybillion:  I would definitely talk to them about some sort of sleep aid.  My doctor keeps telling me that they can handle almost any side effect (except the fatigue) so that if it's difficult to deal with let them know.

I read about the lidocaine cream and got a prescription.  Even though I didn't start my chemo last week, I did get my port accessed and had a chance to "test drive" how it worked.  The lidocaine was TERRIFIC.  I didn't feel a thing.  I just smeared a little on an hour before my appt. and by the time I was there it was totally numb.

Paxton:  Thanks for the pictures and the information about what it felt like to lose your hair.  I think the more I know what to expect the less traumatic it will be.  I've got a bunch of scarves, buffs, and hats and I even bought some bangs and eyebrows.  I'm unsure about a wig, but have signed up for a "Look Good Feel Better" class to see what they can help me with.  It's not until next month, so it'll probably be a welcome thing for me by then. 

I talked to my doc about the neulasta too and he gives it prophylactically.  So, that's one I'll just deal with.  I am wondering if maybe the steroid can be avoided, but probably not.  I'm usually so against pills.  I mean i don't mind medication if I need it, but I'm not quick to take something if I don't have to.  This is going to be weird having so much in my body all the time.

Mom2B -- You should ask your doctor this question, but normally chemo is done first for one of two reasons.  The first is if the tumor is large and shrinking makes removal easier.  Since you are having a masectomy, that doesn't seem to be what's going on in your case.  The other is so they can monitor how effective the chemo is.  You don't list your Her2 status, but if you are triple negative, your doctor may want to able to see that the selected chemo is shrinking the tumor.  Have they mentioned doing a rescan part way through to see if the tumor is shrinking?

Georgiabird -- Glad the cream worked for you.  I found it very effective.  I picked up my rx yesterday so I'm all set to go for this week.

Paxton -- your son is a cutie.  So sorry you are going through this again.  It looks like there are three of us that are "repeat customers" in this group.

AL1841 and Judy -- One of the women I went through chemo with two years ago had CMF.  She found it a very easy combination and is doing wonderfully well.  I'm still in touch with her on a regular basis.  If you want to talk to someone about this combination, send me a PM and I'll have her contact you.

Pat -- I love your attitude!  My port goes in Tuesday and I know from past experience that I will love it by the second or third round (I have 18).  I'm not looking forward to those first few days of soreness, but I know it's worth it.

11ty -- Absolutely talk to your doc about your lack of sleep.  That alone can make you feel much worse. 

Yep I am triple neg. I just didn't know how to do my siggy Mine is budding up to my chest wall so mabye that is why. Thanks for the info. That helps a lot. We are to go and let them examine me after the second one. They did mention having a MRI of my head to rule out any tumor in there. I would rather have treatments then get anymore bad news from test results. UGH....

On the losing hair stuff, you lose eye lashes and eye brows? Here I thought if I could only wear mascara no one would care if I didn't have any hair. lol Cause I can't wear false eyelashes then

Thanks Paxton, that makes be feel a lot better.

ddieneue - Doris, are you out there?  I was wondering how you are doing.  You started on the same treatment as me 2 days earlier.  I'm happy to report I feel great.

Hang in there bbd, it all got easier after the 4th day.

I didn't lose my eyebrows or eyelashes during ACT tx except for one week during the taxol.  They got thinner, but its the little things that help.

I'm having a lot of fatigue today.  Just got the baby bathed and to bed so I can crash now.  I have help around a lot but the times I don't, it sure gets tough.  One day at a time, one hour at a time even. 

Good Luck to everything one this week.

stl: I would eat a few crackers before until you know how you feel during the tx.  Maybe bring a sandwich along to eat if you feel up to it during the tx.  Its kind of like morning sickness; getting that balance of eating enough but not too much. 

I was worried about the decadron my first time because I have an anxiety and panic disorder.  I didn't have a problem with it.  You might want to take some Ativan or even the compazine should help to sleep that first night.  The problem I ran into with decadron was when they sent me home to keep taking some during the first part of the week after the tx.  I felt good on it, then when I was suppose to quit, I would crash so hard it wasn't even funny.  So, I just took the decadron in my chemo tx and used the other drugs at home and things went fine.  You'll just have to see how you react.  And yes, you do become your own pharmacy. 

Also, its very very helpful to have a chart you record what you're taking on.  I also added a column that would tell me when I could take it again so I wasn't relying on my mind (cuz u sort of lose that temporarily lol).

Best of Luck

Getting ready to start chemo this week.  Got my pantry stocked with healthy/ bland food and supplements as recommended by my ND (onc approved of course), got a super short haircut, gave the kids one more laundry and cleaning lesson, got a Kindle, got some new comfy sweat pants, got beanies and scarfs, weaned off coffee and wine, dentist tomorrow, port placement on Wednesday, chemo thursday.etc etc.  I'm sure I'm forgetting something.  I'm a planner. Whoa did cancer know if was going against such a competitive opponent.  Bring it on-I say!  Best of luck to my starting chemo Jan 2010 sisters.  Let's beat this nasty disease.  

Hey everyone, sorry for not being on top of this board I've fallen behind do to extreme fatigue I had AC on Jan 7th, first two days I was fine, then, WHAM!!!!!

 But WE will all get through this 

Georgia, what regime did you end up with? 

 Carol, ask you doctor for Ambian, it's safe and doesn't mess with the chemo.

 AGBmom, what part of MASS? How old are you? Looks like we have the same diagnoses. I have only completed one cycle of AC, it's doable but everyone is different but 3rd day it wiped the floor with me burped, and then walked back over to tep on me again, OUCH!

 Again, we can get through this! Let's ALL kick Cancers ARSE ladies!!!!!

Hi Issymom,

I have the first chemo tomorrow the 12th as well and I am so looking forward to having the first one behind me, because the unknown is worse, I agree.  I took off tomorrow and Wednesday and I've schedule a full day at work on Thursday and now I'm worried based on chasinghope's experience.  I'll play it by ear.

I am a little worked up this morning, however.  I am getting test fatigue...another test this afternoon for which I can't drink my one cup of morning coffee (hence a headache) and am already hungry again but can't eat.  I'm sick of the testing stuff and know that I've got a lot more to face.  In addition, I had taken time off from work this morming for the Am Cancer's Feel Good workshop - thought I'd get some good advice on moisturizers, etc. since I had to stop my stuff (has Vit A and C in it) and am not liking the Lubriderm, as rec by the onc nurse, for my face - too heavy.  Got to work early, got to the workshop at the nearby hosptial at 9:30, as scheduled....couldn't find the place, no signs, front desk didn't know...finally found it and....it was cancelled because no one was signed up (well, I was signed up).  arrgghh....ran back to work.  Am not wasting my time on that again.

So, if any of you get to go to the American Cancer Society's workshop on "Feeling Good, Looking Good" could you ask the face moisturizer question and let me know?  No estrogen, no anti-oxigents, no vitamins in it.  Thanks,

Pat

Pagowens - I will be thinking of you tomorrow.  What chemo are you taking.  Tomorrow I start 4 rounds of AC and then followed by 4 of Taxol (2 weeks apart).  Sorry you were not able to attend the Look Good Feel Good seminar.  I have wanted to go to it as well but have not checked to see when it is offered in Seattle.

Nkrun - I am having a wig made from my own hair so I will have it completely shaved (YIKES) late next week.  I have a very large head (another thing inherited from my father besides the BRCA1 mutation) and off the shelf wigs would be too small.  I am hoping I get to the point where I feel empowered by doing this but right now it makes me so nervous.  What if I am the one person who wouldn't have lost their hair.  It's not worth taking the chance as I don't have another wig option.  Again, it is the fear of the unknown! 

Good luck to all who start chemo this week!!

Hello ladies,

11tyBillion: I don't really know how to send a Private message came to this group late I hope not to late. I had a Bilateral Masectomy on 12/15 this year. Started chemo 01/07/10 4 cycles AC. I am 38 ER+PR+Her2- no port.No node involvement from sentitnal biopsy and no vascular invasion but an aggressive grade 3 tumor. 1.5 cm

Can I ask a question to the whole board? Do you ladies feel comfortable drinking out of plastic bottles? I have done some reasearch on it. Leaching isn't to uncommon with all form of plastic bottles, especially spring water, gatorade, they're all made out of cheap plastic, actually graded the lowest quality plastc. Has anyone else noticed that glass and paper are being totally phased out? BPA is rampet in plastics, when it is broken down it creates something called environmental estrogen (not good) 

 Any thoughts?