Anyone Starting Chemo Jan. 2010?

Hello Ladies,

I will start my treatment tomorrow. I will be on Navelbine/Herceptin once a week for 3 months. This is my 4th recurrence and I'm still nerveous about this whole thing. But want to get it started to be done with it once and for all.  I was first diagnosed in Feb of 06 and had TAC for 6 months followed by 6 weeks of rads followed by 10 herceptin treatments when it returned in the same breast, I then had a mastectomy and had 6 months of CMF. Then it decided to come back again on my scar line and did 6 months of xeloda/tykerb and it now has returned to one lymph node on my good side along with on my skin on my mastectomy side.  

My best advice is to drink, drink, drink lots of fluids the day before and days after your treatment to flush it out of your system. And if anyone asked what they can do to help, don't feel bad in asking them to make you a casserole, pick up a gallon of milk from the store, or even a book of stamps from the post office.  These may seem like small things, but are a huge help when you are going through treatment.

Hang in there everyone, we will get through this one treatment at a time

Jill

11tybillion - Haven't seen you around lately.  thinking of you during this time.  Hope all is ok. Hugs

Hey breastfriendxx:  We are in the same part of the day!  Not the same season, but close to the same time of the day.  I have a good friend that lives in Sydney! 

Hi ladies, I have been reading this board for a few days now and am so glad it is here and would like to join. I also will be starting chemo on the 21st and getting TCH x 6 and then just the Herceptin for the rest of the year. Had my port put in on Tues & also did a sentinal node biospy and am waiting on the results(praying they are good). I will be having a bi-lateral mastectomy most likely in the summer after treatment has ended and onc unsure if radiation will be needed. I have 3 little kids (7,5,& 15 months) and find myself often wondering how the hell did I get here? I know that I have to stay strong and focus on keeping myself in a good place for my kids but that is not always easy and I haven't even started chemo yet. I feel such a connection with total strangers on these boards b/c i know that someone else gets it; feels what I am feeling, says what I am afraid to say to my family & friends, and fears what I fear. It helps to not feel quite so alone on this incredibly terrifying journey. I am so fortunate to have so many loved on supporting me at home but even with everyone around me there are moments when I feel so alone in my own thoughts and many times that is not a good place to be. Thanks for listening and I wish all of you a peaceful & positive weekend.

Tammy

Welcome to all the newcomers and "repeat customers".  I am so glad you found our group but it makes me so sad that there are so many more of us. It is comforting to talk to people who are going through the same/similar experiences.

My mom bought me a bunch of different knit hats.  I tried them on and they looked cute so I was encouraged but then I realized my hair is hanging down out of the hats so I pulled my hair back and tucked it into the hat and I didn't look so cute.  It is total vanity but I so don't want to lose my hair.  I know it will grow back and I will look better than I imagine but still.

Hope everyone is feeling well today.

Hi all - got my first FEC yesterday, so far things are ok. The antinausea drugs seem to be working so far but I'm so very tired. They said the steroids would keep me awake last night but one of the side affects of my antinausea meds is drowsiness so that worked out in my favor and I slept ok last night.

Hoping thinks continue on this track. Now off for another nap.

valiossifova: the reason for the chemo is my onco score came back a whopping 38.  I haven't seen anyone's that high.  I was hoping I could just get away with the lumpectomy, radiation and Arimidex, but no such luck.  Taking the chemo dropped my recurrence rate from 26% to 12%, so I had to go for it.

After day 4 I have really been feeling great.  The slight metallic taste is the only lingering SE and that tends to come and go as well.  The only bad thing now is that my hair is starting to fall out.  At least I made it through this week without having to put that dumb wig on.  My next treatment is Jan 21.

11tyBillion - I have my phone service through our cable company and expect some day the remote and phone will be one and the same.  You don't have chemo brain, you are just ahead of your time.  Seriously, I got a great chuckle out of your story.  Sounds like something I would do!!

We are strong women but not perfect.  Sorry your work was lost.  Hopefully that only happens once.

The baby spent a lot of the day over at grandma's.  So, I played a little guitar and cleaned the kitchen.  He's getting his bottom teeth in and is pretty cranky.  I don't think he recognized me when I came to get him with my hair chopped off.  Baby's in bed and bf is out ice fishing so I'm going to have a quiet supper and read.  Hopefully I can sleep all night. 

issymom, nothing wrong with not wanting to lose your hair. Given the timelines I've been told about, I can exepect to start losing mine a week from today--1st infusion was on Jan 8th. I felt ill all week, so just pulled my hair back in a ponytail. But today, I tried fixing my hair and can tell it's already lost its lustre. I have a lot of hair and will miss mine terribly. I think what you're feeling is absolutely normal--I'm feeling it too!

Well, the first week is over and I made it!  Went for blood work and white count was down so I got the Neulasta shot.  I had read elsewhere on here to take Claritin to help counteract any SE's from that and so far (along with Tylenol), it seems to be working.  I am tired, but still able to function--went to work all week, grocery shopping and took the kids to get haircuts today.

Like everyone else, I am dreading the hair coming out--guess that will be next week's big event!  But I have two wigs that I really like and actually look better than the hair I have.  But still, not looking forward to that day at all.

Hope everyone is feeling well this weekend!

Renee

Got my first treatment yesterday and it wasn't nearly as bad as I had expected.  They gave me the neulasta shot there, and that was the worst of it.  The emla cream for the port did the trick and I didn't feel anything. Slept well last night which was a nice surprise. So far no bad SEs except I woke up this morning with cramps and hot flashes.  Not fun, but temporary.  As for nausea, it seems very mild and only comes on briefly.  If I sip something cold it seems to move on.  Then, when it's gone, I try to eat something little.  I hope that strategy works.  I'm anxious about Monday because both the nurse and the doctor told me to expect to start feeling bad that day. 

Thanks for the support nkrun...I do have little ones but they have been great.  My son brought me both of his stuffed "raffies" today to help me get better.  I really just hope I don't lose so much energy that I miss out too much with them. 

paxton- enjoy your quiet time without your boys. i hope you get a chance to recharge your batteries before they come back.

issymom- there is an "idiot's guide to breast cancer" book that I got.  But, the book that taught me the most was the young survivor's brest cancer book.  I got to a point, though, that I just gave up reading because it was all so overwhelming.  Right now I'm going to focus on trusting my docs and managing the next few months.  Then, I'll get back into reading about how to reduce recurrence, etc.

bbd- did you get the neulasta shot when you had your first treatment?

11tybillion- thanks for your work keeping up with everyone's treatment stats.  your remote control story had my laughing hysterically.  

Made it through the night, following my first Neulasta shot. Bone pain was on the left side--the same side I got the shot. Wouldn't you know it? My nine-year old went down with a cold yesterday. It's tough telling him that I can't get near him right now. How long are we vulnerable to infections? How quick does the shot work?

Hello Ladies,

I was in your shoes this time last year and I am here to tell you that surgery, chemo, radiation and hormone therapy are all doable because you are all strong women. Just keep thinking about January 2011 when you also can write words of encouragement to the next years' women who will be in your shoes at that time.

There might be some days that will be harder than others but know that they will all pass and with time you will be feeling better and better with thoughts of BC behind you.

I did lose my hair but now have 4 inches of wicked curly hair that I just love. I'm not saying chemo was worth a new hair do but I do like to look at the bright side.

Rely on this site for some good information and don't be afraid to ask questions .

Remember you have many remarkable women who want to help whenever they can.

Debbie

dkerler - thank you for the encouragement!

bbd-my doctor hasn't mentioned the shot either.  Hoping I won't need it, but will see.

penny - I am so sorry you are having to do this again.

11tybillion - You also made me laugh about the chemo brain!  Glad you are doing well enough to find humor in the situation.

georgiabird-are you on AC.  I thought I remembered you were.  I will start that on Wednesday am here - Tuesday pm EST.

Praying for all of you and thank you for sharing your experiences, even when you might not feel like it.