Starting Chemo Feb 2010?

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  • Iamstronger
    Iamstronger Member Posts: 378
    edited February 2010

    Hi All,

    Mo, sorry to hear about that thrush.  Hopefully it will clear up soon.

    Writer, I too have had a runny nose.  My onc said I could take Benadryl or claritin.  I have had some minor lower GI stuff too.  Doesn't sound like anything compared to what you got.  Wondering if it is the avastin.

    Faithfulc, sorry to hear about the hair-I'm so not looking forward to that wonderful SE.  I never thought that my hair was very important.  I rarely spent much time on it.  But, the thought of losing it really bothers me.  Like most of us here, I am right behind you.  But, my hair is a small price to pay in order for me to be around for my 2 & 3 year old!

    lbreedl, I liked your ponytail post!

    As for me.  I had my first round ot TCH & Avastin on Monday.  So far my SE have really been pretty manageable.  I feel fortuante as CIND said, I feel a little guilty too.  But, who knows what the next rounds of chemo will be.

    Hope everyone is doing well and hanging in there.

    Verene

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  • lbreedl
    lbreedl Member Posts: 59
    edited February 2010

    teemee: You can't go anywhere. Besides I will need someone to keep me company through the FEC. I seem to be having the longest chemo regime here ;p

    My port is finally scheduled for march 8th. I have plans that week and its messing me up, but it seems I should feel honored that they have finally chosen to add me to the schedule. FRUSTERATED!

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  • staceyt
    staceyt Member Posts: 106
    edited February 2010

    Hello All,

    I have been reading these boards and preparing myself for my first chemo next week for about a month now.  I have to say there is so much information and when I first starting reading I was scared to death about getting my first treatment, but now I am "relaxed" and know what may or may not happen with me.  You are all very helpful and hope to find my strength thru all of you.

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  • CinD
    CinD Member Posts: 163
    edited February 2010

    Hi all.  I hope everyone is doing good today.

    Michele, your haircut looks really good. I've always had a medium-long cut, love using my hair to surround my face and cover my ears, so losing it will be odd. I won't have anything to hide under anymore. So far, all the hair is intact (day 15 counting day of infusion), but the hats and such are ready and waiting. Faithfulc, I see you haven't decided yet on shaving your head. Right now, I plan to let mine fall out naturally, but when the time comes, I realize I may change my mind. I just can't bring myself to buzz it yet.

    Teemee, I am glad you're feeling better. Don't even think about heading over to March, because you are definitely one of the February bunch!

    Beth, that's great that your first treatment went well. I hope you're feeling good today. 

    CAL30, thanks for the recommendation of the "look good feel better" class. That sounds like something I might want to do once the hair comes off, sort of a pick-me-up. Hope you're feeling fine after your second treatment yesterday. 

    Mo, sorry about the thrush. My onc warned me it was possible but said they could easily fix it with a prescription. That's got to be a pain to have to deal with, though. Hope it's gone soon.

    Verene, I'm glad to hear your SEs have been manageable after your first round. Things are still going really good for me as far as SEs, knock wood.

    lbreedl, what a bummer you have to wait for the port. You'd think for something like this they'd be able to fit you in sooner.

    Stacy, welcome!  I'm glad you found us and that you are feeling better about the chemo now. Hang in there! 

    To all getting treatment this week, I hope all goes well.

    Cindy 

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  • roso88
    roso88 Member Posts: 31
    edited February 2010

    Teemee - Sounds like you're doing better already.  We're all rooting for you.  You're stuck with us now so no moving to March.

    Mo - Hope the thrush goes away fast.

    CinD and Faithful - Like you, I haven't decided what to do with the hair situation.  I may just wait until every last strand falls out by itself like in lbreedl's cute story. 

    Michelle - Thanks for sharing a pic of your haircut.  It looks good.

    Lbreedl - Stinks you have to wait so long but glad you got the port scheduled.  Hopefully it will help speed up your visits so you don't have to miss another flight.

    Quick question for all the pre-menopausal ladies, has the chemo affected your menstrual cycles yet?  The chemo nurse said it usually takes a few rounds before the period goes away completely but so far, mine is late.  Sorry for TMI.

    Glad to hear everyone else is coping well.  Have a great weekend.

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  • writer
    writer Member Posts: 208
    edited February 2010

    Roso88, I haven't had a period since I quit taking the pill in early December. I'm 51 and was apparently in process with menopause anyway, so it's not surprising, although they're not declaring me truly in menopause yet. (Hence making me sign something vowing to practice birth control while I'm part of the Avastin study-- they're very worried about patients getting pregnant, which believe me is not going to happen here.)

    Verene, that's so wonderful that you had a pretty good week with the SEs. They tell me how your body handles the first is usually the pattern, so you should be okay. I guess the fatigue gets more cumulative, but the other stuff shouldn't.

    Stacy, welcome, and let us know how it goes. This forum is a godsend. 

    My runny nose turned out to not be a SE-- apparently I've been dealing with a strange cold, which became clear once it got in my chest/throat. It's pretty minor, but I'm really hoarse and have a tight chest, and yesterday I got super tired-- I guess we're just a little more prone to fatigue if we get a little sick. To be safe they gave me antibiotics in case it gets worse, but I'm feeling a little better and a lot more energetic today, so I haven't taken them.

    I'm off to check out a new bunch of food trucks-- they're all the rage here in L.A., and I write about food and have to stay on top of things, even though my taste buds are operating at about 60% of normal! But it will be fun anyway, and I'm bringing a chef friend who can help with the tasting.

    Good weekend to all, and bon courage to those of you facing head-buzzing. Mine is hanging in there still-- I'm guessing later next week.  

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  • ariesrottie
    ariesrottie Member Posts: 260
    edited February 2010

    Hi Girls! My name is Donna. I had a BM on 1/25. My oncotype test came back at a 25 score and 16% recurrence. I have been on the Jan. Mastectomy site. Today I join yours.. I was in the shady range and decided with the help of my oncologist and my mothers past history of cancer my first treatment will be on Thursday 2/25. Exactly 1 month after my surgery. I will be getting 4 rounds of T/C. You girls are inspiring with all your stories. Your first treatment seemed easy. I hope that I will be having the same good feelings as you girls. I know that this site is amazing. It got me thorough a real rough time. Thank you for being there.

    Donna

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  • lbreedl
    lbreedl Member Posts: 59
    edited February 2010

    Mother nature just paid her visit here in the land of TH, day 18. I was told that my next chemo, FEC would definately put me into pause. I guess that will be one less thing to worry about?

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  • faithfulc
    faithfulc Member Posts: 284
    edited February 2010

    Ladies,

    The hair is coming off very slowly - since it started 3 days ago, it's still mostly only when I gently go through it with my hand, and a few strands per run.  However, when I took a shower quite a bit did come off.  (I read somewhere that I really only need to wash my hair when needed and perhaps not as often as I normally would.)  Not sure how it's going to speed up over the weekend.  I was thinking I needed to wear the wig by now.  Maybe next week. 

    Been doing some 30-minute rather brisk walking every afternoon at work and it really feels good.  Just losing a little bit of sweat but gaining a feeling of health and confidence - priceless.

    Have a great weekend!  Hope everyone who started treatment this past week is doing well.  Less than 10 days left for the month and to the rest of the February sisters, may the worst part (i.e. waiting) be behind you soon.

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  • MomoB
    MomoB Member Posts: 68
    edited February 2010

    Hello ladies,

    This is my first time to do chemo, but not my first time to have bc.  I am on taxol, for

    12 weeks, then FEC X 4, every 3 weeks, surgery, then supposedly, radiation.  Not sure

    about that radiation!  I will just take it one step at a time and see how it goes.  I had my

    first taxol o  Feb. 17, and the next one will be on Feb. 23rd.  I have been reading some, and

    don't quiteknow what to expect.  Looks like this will be a lively group!

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  • MomoB
    MomoB Member Posts: 68
    edited February 2010

    Hello ladies,

    This is my first time to do chemo, but not my first time to have bc.  I am on taxol, for

    12 weeks, then FEC X 4, every 3 weeks, surgery, then supposedly, radiation.  Not sure

    about that radiation!  I will just take it one step at a time and see how it goes.  I had my

    first taxol o  Feb. 17, and the next one will be on Feb. 23rd.  I have been reading some, and

    don't quiteknow what to expect.  Looks like this will be a lively group!

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  • MomoB
    MomoB Member Posts: 68
    edited February 2010

    sorry, had a duplicate post.

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  • lbreedl
    lbreedl Member Posts: 59
    edited February 2010

    MomoB: You and I are on the same regime! I was lonely, but not anymore. Ha! I have not had much SE's with Taxol, just a few minor things but not bad at all. I am having herceptin along with the taxol and I see you are her- so of course you won't be having any of that. I'm having my 4th on Mon. and seeing my onc also. I am having a port in on the 8th (about time), but it really has not been bad without one. Still have my hair, they say half will loose it on taxol and about halfway through if they do. I see you're from Houston, I'm at MD Anderson. Are you having neoadjuvant also?

    The FEC is pretty wicked, but that's what we want, right? I wanted to be very aggresive and kick this in the butt. So I say bring it! I have talked to people who have lived through it so I guess we will too! Good Luck & welcome to the party.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    Mo-wow..thrush. I'd get a script for the diflucan asap. That really does seem to work the fastest and easiest. I ended up with a yeast infection in my armpit (eewwww), where I had my lymph nodes removed. I took a diflucan and it was just about gone by the next day.Remember that yeast/fungus grows and thrives in moisture...so keeping a moist mouth will actually make it worse.

    I'm still feeling good. I honestly can't complain about anything...YET. I'm wondering when the shoe is gonna drop! 

    Cal30-I go to the look good feel better on march 8 and i can't wait to go!!  

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  • lbreedl
    lbreedl Member Posts: 59
    edited February 2010

    faithfulc: So sorry about your hair :-(

    I've had the wig catalog here for 3 weeks and online wigs bookmarked but I just can't pull the trigger! There are just so many options. I'm going to take care of that tonight. I have been told to get a soft sleeping cap to keep your head warm. Just like a baby.

    This too shall pass.

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  • mofend
    mofend Member Posts: 140
    edited February 2010

    Welcome to all the newcomers.  This board has helped me immensely through my initial chemo and I'm sure it will continue to throughout, so you're in the right place!  Everyone is so helpful and supportive and I'm thankful for everyone on here.  Now on to the gross topic of the day - thrush.  The onc said that it's happening because the chemo wipes out the natural flora in your mouth and there's really not much to do about it other than take the Diflucan and do the mouth rinse they prescribe - that stuff tastes nasty, but I think I'd drink worse if it would get rid of this feeling in my mouth.  It seems to be backing off some so maybe by tomorrow I'll notice an improvement.  Other than that, I feel perfectly normal.  Ran around all day like a normal day and didn't even feel tired.  I'm praying that this is what the next five treatments will be like, because this has been sooooo much easier than I had anticipated.  Take care everyone!  Mo

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  • faithfulc
    faithfulc Member Posts: 284
    edited February 2010

    Still haven't heard from a few of you (me2u, Ezscriiibe, sgerrity) - hope your first treatment went on schedule and you are feeling ok.  Would love to add that smiley face up at the top list.

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  • Leah58
    Leah58 Member Posts: 159
    edited February 2010

    Dear February Sisters,

    When I read your posts I want to hug you all!   I am on day 4 from my first TC treatment.  No appetite, very unusual for me!!  I am being a good soldier and trying to keep something in my stomach because of an underlying feeling of nausea.  I was given Zofran to try today, I think it will help.  All of your helpful lists of items to have on hand and your hints have been so helpful for conquering some of the possible side affects.  Using AD ointment for chemo "diaper" rash took me back years ago to when I used it on my children's behinds. Sorry if it is too much information but I am so glad you all have been honest.  It has helped me immensely.

     You all are all in my thoughts and prayers.  BB

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  • Ezscriiibe
    Ezscriiibe Member Posts: 598
    edited February 2010

    faithful, you're handling the hair loss so bravely! I'd be in tears in the shower! LOL.

    My first treatment went really well, I tolerated the infusion well, except that my glucose jumped to over 480 with the steriods. They pumped my up with some fast acting insulin right away, so that was handled well.

    Went to pee a lot! LOL! Drinking 3 liters of liquid 3 days in a row will do that!

    I'm still flying from the steriods and the mega-doses of anti-nausea meds from the infusion, but was told today that will both wear off this weekend and I will get very fatigued and nauseous. They want me to stay ahead of the nausea and not wait to take the Zofran. They want me to take it as soon as I start feeling queasy. They want to avoid it getting to the vomiting stage. Um. Hello. Me too!

    The one piece of bad news I got just before the infusion was the results of my scans. All of the came back okay, except for my lymph nodes and my liver. My lymphy nodes showed 2 swollen nodes, about 2 cm each. They think those are just from the previous surgery, and I'm to get an ultrasound guided biopsy on them March 8.

    But he has restaged me from Stage II to Stage IV based on 2 lesions that showed up on my liver. I cannot bring myself to change my stage status on the site here yet, though. I want to wait till after the MRI and biopsy of the lesions, which I'm not sure when that will be.

    But he did assure me that the protocol that he would follow for those if they are "bad guys" is the same chemo regime I'm getting for the breast cancer. 

    So, I get one smiley face. . . and one of these Yell

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  • mofend
    mofend Member Posts: 140
    edited February 2010

    Michele - that sucks that you got that new right before your treatment - I'm sorry.  Not that there's a good time to get news like that, but that seems like a particularly vulnerable time.  I wll keep you in my thoughts as you move forward and get more information.  Whatever it is, we're all here to get you through it, just like you're here for us.  So, big hugs and try to stay focused on the immediate - drink, drink, drink!  Take care - Mo

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  • makmak
    makmak Member Posts: 632
    edited February 2010

    Michele, I got the same story as yours.. but now my chemo was changed to weekly.. All I can say is that I freaked but then posted some questions on Stage IV and got some very positive responses from women who were diagnosed 8 years ago.... so that's helped me deal... I didn't do a liver biopsy.. just accepted it..and am crossing my fingers these leisons (I have over 30 plus a 2cm spot).. go away.. I refuse to even think of not seeing my 3 month old get married!!!

    Marina

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  • me2u
    me2u Member Posts: 52
    edited February 2010

    hi faithfulc, reporting now :) the chemo 2hrs IV drip went smoothly, sitting there for the completion. found my vein quite well, hence 1 poke only *touch wood*. nurses explained the side effects and all, flushed 3 times after every bowel movements and handed us the leaflets plus oral medications (Emend, Kytril and Dexa). Had noodles for lunch and all goes well except around 3.30pm, the SE came on too fast and furious. i was feeling nausea already and cold sweat starts forming on my forehead. called the clinic and they told me to lay down and call me back in 20mins time and by that time, my whole body had broke into cold sweat and was soaked, dizzy and nearly passed out...i hanged on taking slow deep breath and the nurse called up, after explaining the situation, she asked me to the oral med in the night however my nausea kept me awake thoughout the night till the next day for my neulastim shot. cant sleep, eat or drink, its quite bad for me. prayed alot too.

    following day at clinic, onc gave me hydration + sedate to let me rest and in addition antinausea med. after 2hrs of sleep at the clinic, i felt much much better and the nausea went away.

    so now resting at home, trying to eat much and rest a lot cos still having problems sleeping at night. they gave me some small blue pills to help me sleep at night but i didnt want to rely on it too much, so lets see again tonight.

    wish all the best for your treatment!!! and i will continue to be strong, signing off now, getting sleepy again as i type...

    Love all,

    Jessica

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  • faithfulc
    faithfulc Member Posts: 284
    edited February 2010

    Ezscriiibe, so sorry to hear about the scan but I hope the biopsy turns out good for you.  We are all here to support you!!

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  • ariesrottie
    ariesrottie Member Posts: 260
    edited February 2010

    Jessica- I'm sorry to hear about your SE... You will be in my prayer to feel better soon. I start my first treatment TC (4) on Thursday and i'm not going to deny it I'm nervous......We have to do what we have to do..... Stay Strong... We are all in things together....

    Feel well,

    Donna

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  • lbreedl
    lbreedl Member Posts: 59
    edited February 2010

    Escriiibe: I have been praying for you since I read your sad news last night. I agree to wait and see what it really is. The treatment is the same either way. I am hoping for the best!

    Laura

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  • Ado
    Ado Member Posts: 89
    edited February 2010

    Joining all you great ladies today. I had invasive DCIS 4mm, mastectomy Jan 13th. Microscopic in one out of seven nodes. Chemo starts 24th Feb, Herceptin following day. Six sessions of chemo and Herceptin over the year and Tamoxifen for five thereafter so you and I are in the same boat Frosty. I will let you know how next week goes. I was having second thoughts about the chemo and wondering whether I should just go with Tamoxifen especially as I feel well for the first time since the op. I am dreading next week. I am learning so much about how to deal with the side effects though and am now 100% committed mainly due to support from this site.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    It sounds like the same boat I'm in, Ado, as far as treatment goes.

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  • ariesrottie
    ariesrottie Member Posts: 260
    edited February 2010

    Ado- good luck ... I'll be praying for all of us.

    Can someone tell mme why there is a need for claritan?

    Donna

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  • roso88
    roso88 Member Posts: 31
    edited February 2010

    Michele - <<Big hug>> You are in my thoughts and prayers.  Hoping for good news...

    Jessica - Sorry you had a bumpy start.  I hope the rest of your treatments go smoother.

    Ado - Welcome to the Feb group.  We've got a great bunch of ladies here.

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  • swiftbird
    swiftbird Member Posts: 177
    edited February 2010

    2/25/2010: [port] TC 6x, Herceptin 1 yr. (probably). Surgery. Rads.

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