Chemo starting in December 2010

Starting December 2nd with AC plus a clinical trial (if selected randomly) of Bevacizumab followed by Paclitaxel.  Going to Chem class this next Monday, EKG and Echcardiogram on Monday and Port placement on Tue....whew, then a break until the big day on Thursday.  Anyone wondering like I am what we have gotten into?

Hello to all start my chemo on Dec 1 also.  Since as they call it the triple positive I am doing 6 cycles of Taxotere, carboplatin, and Herceptin and than the remainder of a year of Herceptin.  At least it is only once every 3 weeks.  Great tips on what to bring and keep for chemo.  Going to go this weekend to get things together.  had to get my PET scan, MUGA scan and port put in all within 1 week since they want to start my chemo asap.  MUGA and PET scan not bad at all, just sitting still is the worst part.  Everything I go through is all through the same facility so it is really nice.  My oncologist even has her own Chemo Nurse educator so spent 2 hours with her last week so all ready for next week.  Have to admit it has been a big whirlwind with only being diagnosed 10/20/2010.  Only thing with a long chemo schedule my plastice surgeon may have to request a break in chemo so he can do my TE and implant exchange.  He really doesn't want to wait a year before finishing my reconstruction.  Can keep the TEs in that long put we shall see.  He would rather wait to avoid an infection frtom the exchange surgery.  So glad the surgery and that is done also.    Take care all of you and glad to have a place to go through this journey with.  Hopefully chemo will not be to bad.  We shall see!!! 

Hi Ladies!

I start Dec. 2.  6 rounds of TCH.  I had my port put in this morning.  I am spending the weekend looking for movies for the portable DVD and loading my Nook.  I was told I will be there for 6-7 hours!  Good luck to everyone starting this week!

Lawleigh: Sometimes I feel like Alice going down the rabbit hole! 

I am starting Chemo Tuesday Nov 30 but because it is so close to December, someone advised me to get on Dec board.  I found the lump 9-11-10 so I am ready to start.  I had a mascectomy on10-20-10 after having the lump originally removed from a local hospital when the biopsy came back negative for cancer.  That was devistating.  The most issue I have had is the decision whether to go with AC-TH or TCH.  I have had oncs advise both.  I went with the Onc that will let me decide but then I could not decide..I picked AC-TH but may change my mind yet today..lol.  I will let you all know my experiences since I am one day ahead. I plan to work through this so wish me good luck!!

Good luck to all of you starting soon! I am 3 sessions into TCH (6 sessions) and it isn't so bad.  Hang in there, you'll be fine.  Most important thing to remember is you shouldn't have to suffer SE thruout all of this, if something is bothering you talk to your oncologist about it, there is probably a pill to help you get thru it.  

Hi everyone, I am new here, having chemo for the first time 12/2,  T/C 4X every three weeks, tripple negative, no nodes, 1.2 cim.    I had a lumpectomy a month ago.  thanks so much for all the suggestions.  It can get so overwhelming. Onc told me  I will be taking a steroid the day before, and two days after chemo, senocot the night before, and a few days later, ws told to use tea tree oil on my nails. Friends have recommended to chew ice the first 10 minutes of chemo, ice for hands and feet as well...claritin D before/after N shot, and biotine mouth wash a couple times a day!!!  So I have to ask, is this over the top, or good prep? 

Good luck to everyone, I also will be working through treatment. nice to have this place to support each other.

Hello, all,

 This is my first post! I was diagnosed in October of 2010, and getting a port this Wednesday, and first chemo (TC) on December 8. Still sort of in shock, but I had my hair cut really short yesterday to prepare for losing it, and ordered a wig.

What's ironic is that I am an RN, just finished a Master's in nursing, and for one of my clinicals I did a rotation in the same cancer center that I will be getting treated at. It's nice that I know everybody, but I hate being a patient. Also not used to the pitiful looks I get from people. I thought I would be open about it, but now I'm starting to wish I kept my mouth shut so I don't get these comments from people like "How ARE you?" "Have you tried alternative medicine?" "You need to get this (test/medicine/etc)." blah blah blah

I am getting antsy to just get going with this! I will do radiation after the chemo. I am planning on working, but not sure if that will work out or not. So far, my boss is incredibly cool about it, just told me to call in if I feel bad (I only work 20 hours a week, and I work in a specialty area).

So, it's nice to touch base with other folks in the same boat, I hope to talk with you all frequently!

Cheers,

Mary in Illinois

Hi all -

I've been posting a bit a few weeks ago in the waiting forum, haven't been on in a while due to moving, the holidays and such.

I'm starting my first round of chemo (Taxotere/Cytoxan) December 2, Thursday. I cut off all my long hair last Friday in anticipation of losing it. My oncologist said it would be about 2-3 weeks after my first round when the hair started coming out.

I have doctor's appointments every single day this coming week. Port Cath education class Monday, PET scan on Tuesday, getting my port cath put in on Wednesday, chemo on Thursday and Neulasta shot on Friday. 

I'm nervous as heck about the SE's and what's going to happen. I wasn't offered chemo education classes. I'm going to call my cancer center and see if they offer anything like that.

klynn -  I know what you mean about feeling alone. It IS weird. I have 3 children (14, 11 & 4) and I'm trying so hard to stay positive, even with my husband... but sometimes I just want to give in and be depressed.

How and when did you guys get on anti-depressants? I don't even know who to ask or if I need them.

Looking forward to getting to know all of you through the coming months. I'll be thinking of all of you in the days ahead. Blessings!

Hi, Leigh,

From my understanding you could have the port put in with just a local, or with an IV med that is sedating (such as Versed), which is not really a general anesthesia. General is like what you get with the big surgeries such as lumpectomies and mastectomies, and you generally feel out of it for a few days. (I barely remember the days after my lumpectomy, although I apparently talked to people on the phone, and went to work the Friday after my Tuesday lumpectomy!). With Versed or another sedating drug, you should be semi-awake, but just out of it (kind of like, Hey, you can cut my head off, I don't care!)  So, I am personally going to have the Versed or what other sedating drug they use, but not general anesthesia.

 Leigh, I see you live in Boise. My son lives there, it is such a cool town. I was just there a few weeks ago.

Good luck to us all in our port adventures this week!

To ShelMel-- that's funny that you cut your hair this week, too. I don't have nice long hair though. Mine is about an inch all over now. A friend (?) today said, "Wow. Your hair is really short". (not in a nice way). I reminded her that I was starting chemo, and would soon have NO hair. She said, "Oh. I didn't think you needed chemo". This chemo thing seems to freak out others more than me (and I'll admit I'm a little freaked out).  I ordered a wig online that looks like my own boring hair, but I'm thinking I might order another one, too, that's longer and funkier. What the heck!

Mary

Sammolisa, seems like we have a somewhat same diagnosis, except they have no exact measure of my tumor and say it is between 2 and 5cm (lots of DCIS mixed with IDC). I am scheduled to start TAC x6 every three weeks on December 13. It is funny people at my onc's office say they have not heard of adriamycin shortage. I am in the Northern Virginia area.

I really hope and pray that we get through this with minimal side effects. I have two little boys (age four and a half and three) and chose to have my infusions on Mondays so that I can rest while they are at preschool during the day. I am not sure I plan to work the whole time since my workplace offers disability anyway.

I was going to respond to you all individually, but as i scrolled down i realized we all have the same similar fears and anxieties.  My number one is THE HAIR.  I hate that I am going to lose it. To all of you who have already cut it I admire your strength.  I can't do it.  I decided to wait until it starts to fall out and then deal with it.  I have lots of scarves and 2 wigs.  One is practical for work and the other is my "dream hair" !  I may go on to get a funky blue one! My number 2 is the "alone" feeling.  My family and boyfriend have been amazing, but I can't help but feel that they can never really understand what I am going through.  I also find myself being "positive" for them when I feel like throwing a major temper tantrum over the unfairness of it all. 

Today I called a Gilda's Club near me to join as a new member.  If you have one near you I recommend it. They have all sorts of free classes like yoga and painting for cancer fighters.  I could use some stress relief and I definitely need some free yoga!  The medical bills are starting to come in for all of the tests and surgery, who can afford yoga?!  

@Sam-I am starting to feel better today with the port, I am at work and managing.  I just can't turn or bend!  I love the purple yarn wig, you should definitely rock that one!

@klynn-Did you see the shopping list for chemo on the forum?  It gives a good idea of what to have on hand.  

@Shelmel-I love the crazy, sexy, cancer book.  It has been much more enjoyable then my copy of "breast cancer for dummies". 

 I will start 12/2, TC 4X

 How long does chemo actually take?  I guess I never asked that question!!  I just assumed a couple of hours!!   Thanks for the good wishes, Mary, same to you and to everyone here.  Look forward to sharing our experiences.