April 2011 chemo

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  • artiecat
    artiecat Member Posts: 257
    edited March 2011

    Whew!  Bone biopsy and port placed yesterday.  So much less scary than I expected.I thought I was too awake, but next thing I knew it was over!  Today I feel a bit sore, and like I am carrying a back pack on my front.  Tad bit groggy this morning.

    Where do you ladies find the cute icons?  Have been trying to find one for my email.  Pamela

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  • Teckler2
    Teckler2 Member Posts: 71
    edited March 2011

    I find some by doing a google image search, and saving the image.

    Glad to hear you have one more step done, and that it was less scary than anticipated. I hope you can rest today and take care of yourselfSmile

    ((hugs))

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  • KiwiMum
    KiwiMum Member Posts: 704
    edited March 2011

    April 19 chemo here I come. 

    CT scan done!

    CT scan all clear!!

    Yay, can't believe I'm excited about starting chemo, but bring it on. 

    One day at a time to beat this.

    My onc is offering me the option of a general anethetic or a local to insert the port. Any suggestions? Do I even want to be awake?

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  • artiecat
    artiecat Member Posts: 257
    edited March 2011

    I got what they called the "I don't care" meds...thought I would be somewhat aware - but I know I slept because I heard myself snore!

     Just got back from my second acupuncture tx...have decided to go right before and right after each chemo.  I have read good things about how it helps with the side effects.

    Found some great icons - thanks!

    Hugs all around!

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  • Sudzinvermont
    Sudzinvermont Member Posts: 70
    edited March 2011

    Ok ladies.....

    Chemo #1 done and over with yesterday. I'm happy to say I feel pretty good right now. I feel a little "off" but no se's so far. No nausea at all. Smile

    It was a positve experience, so much better than I thought. It took a wile but everyone was so nice.

    I was so hungry afterwards that I could have eaten my own arm if I had some Catsup! (from the steroids I was told).

     The only think I can think of to report is that I couldn't sleep last night.......not a wink......wide awake no matter what I did. I sometimes have a little trouble sleeping, but this wasn't the same. It was like I was super charged.

    I'll update over the next few days, because I don't expect it to stay this easy. But for right now, it's all good.

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  • pawprintgirl24
    pawprintgirl24 Member Posts: 173
    edited March 2011

    had my ehco yesterday and going to the surgen today to look at my incision from feb because it is having some kind of reaction and i dont want anything to stop this treatment!!!! i had to catch up on what all has happened on here in just a few days! glad to see that sudzinvermont has no se sop far!!! you are in my thoughts...its hard for me to keep up with everybody although i want to. i'm having a hard enough time keeping up with myself these days!!

    i actually turned in a schudule to my boss yesterday as to what i think i can work.she is really in denial about me being out this summer.which makes it hard for me but trying to relax about it and she said that she was gonna heir a full time person and  i'm thinking you will need two but anyway i'm not letting it bother me.

     and about the port placement..i would want to be knocked out.mine still feels like it is pulling and i can't sleep on that side yet andi got it march 8th.dr said it might be that way the entire time????

    stay stong all you warriors!!!

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  • zookeepermom
    zookeepermom Member Posts: 9
    edited March 2011

    Hi Everyone, I'm completely new to this (writing on a forum), but decided to take a chance because I start chemo on Friday, 4/1, and I'm terrified....  I guess it's just not knowing how it will be for me.  I like reading all your posts - it gives me some courage to see I'm not alone.  I'm doing dose dense A/C x 4 followed by dose dense Taxol x 4, followed by 5-6 weeks of radiation (rads?).  

    Could someone tell me what some of the abbreviations are for: DH, PFC, SE to start with?

    Thank you just for listening.  And please tell me if I do something innappropriate here since I don't know forum etiquette yet.

    Gabbi 

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  • pawprintgirl24
    pawprintgirl24 Member Posts: 173
    edited March 2011

    hi zookeepermom!! i don't know all of the abbreviations either! :) welcome to the april club!!i sit here reading stuff from years ago it helps me. some people told me to stay off the internet it will only scare you but it has helped me alot! sunday i am going shopping for the rest of my things i might need the weeek after chemo that i would've never known about if not for the board so thank you all for all the info!

    went to the surgen today to get her to look at my old lumpectomy incision and she put me on antibotics and said it could rupture!!! lovely!! 

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  • KiwiMum
    KiwiMum Member Posts: 704
    edited March 2011

    Hi zookeepermom. New to this too.

    Most of us have hardly any posts so will all have to learn together. I also have no idea what some of the abbreviations mean!



    Sudzinvermont - that sounds positive. Hopefully it continues (apart from the not sleeping).



    Getting my port in on the 12th. Decided to do it under a general, why see them doing it if you don't have to.

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  • SLOGeek02
    SLOGeek02 Member Posts: 7
    edited March 2011

    Hi Ladies.  Count me in as new to this, too.  :)  I am getting my port tomorrow (*gag*) and I start TCH on Tuesday.  Thanks for being here.  :)

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  • zookeepermom
    zookeepermom Member Posts: 9
    edited March 2011

    Hi Ladies,

    Thank you all for the warm welcome.  That's helping already!  I got my port in 3 weeks ago; the surgeon did it when he did the axillary node dissection.  My chest is really bony so it sticks out like a sore thumb.  It kind of gives me the creeps if I touch it or think about it too much.  

    SLOGeek02, what's TCH? 

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  • Sudzinvermont
    Sudzinvermont Member Posts: 70
    edited March 2011

    Hi All,

    I'm still feeling pretty good, not as good as yesterday....but not as bad as I imagined i'd feel if that makes any sense.

    I've got a little headache and I just feel "off my game" for the most part. I'm working this morning, but I don't think I'll stay all day.

    I did sleep last night...but I'll ask my Dr. for something  to help me sleep the first night next time. That was so frustrating.  

    All in all it's not as bad as I was expecting....but I reserve the right to edit that last line often. :)

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  • soon2bsurvivor
    soon2bsurvivor Member Posts: 22
    edited March 2011

    Hi,

    I am glad you are doing well. 

    Do you feel like you can drive?   Do you feel like you can work a normal day?

     Thanks for the updates!

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  • Sudzinvermont
    Sudzinvermont Member Posts: 70
    edited March 2011

    I drove to work today, I'm feeling good. Like I said, a little off...but not so bad I can't drive or work.

    If I start to feel crappy I'll head home. I'm only about 8 miles from work so it's not so bad. I do feel kind of tired, but nothing I can't manage.

    :) Sue

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  • SLOGeek02
    SLOGeek02 Member Posts: 7
    edited March 2011

    Hi zookeepermom, I will be getting the taxotere, carboplatin and herceptin cocktail.

    -Deb

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  • Sudzinvermont
    Sudzinvermont Member Posts: 70
    edited March 2011

    That's what I started on Tuesday SLOGeek02.

    Sue

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  • kohncl
    kohncl Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2011

    Had my port put in yesterday. They use a narcotic to sedate you which worked really well, I didnt feel any pain during the procedure. The problem is I am very sensitive to narcotics so I asked for Zofran ahead of time hoping this would help. Came out of surgery very nauseated, was sick all nite and in severe pain in my neck and chest once the numbness wore off. I have such a weak stomach, I am dreading chemo :-(  

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  • artiecat
    artiecat Member Posts: 257
    edited March 2011

    Had my port put in on Monday along with biopsy from my sternum.  Didnt have any pain, just discomfort.  72 hour mark, so just got up the nerve to take off the yukky "plastic wrap" bandage - that was worse than the procedure!  Looking forward to a real shower!

    Keep the faith, warrior women!

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  • artiecat
    artiecat Member Posts: 257
    edited March 2011

    The good news is that my bone biopsy came back NEGATIVE.  Whew.  Also, HER2 test came back  NEGATIVE!
    I am scheduled to start chemo on Wednesday, April 13.  The cocktail is taxotere, adriamycin and cytoxan (plus all the drugs they give you to counteract the side effects and the drugs they give you to counteract those drugs!)  Then, of course,  neulasta shot.

    I'd much rather have a martini!

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  • Sudzinvermont
    Sudzinvermont Member Posts: 70
    edited April 2011

    Hi All, I went back through to see who was starting when and made a list. Let me know if I left someone off or have it wrong.

    geocachelinda 4/13

    pawprintgirl24 4/11

    teckler2 4/1

    soon2besurvivor 3/30

    Carylc no date yet

    simplesoul 4/1

    proffbee 4/7

    kiwimum 4/19

    me 3/29

    aprilNJ 4/7

    Kohncl 4/4

    zookeepermom 4/1

    SLOgeek02 4/5

    articat 4/13

    I hope everyone who's starting today, (zookeepermom,simplesoul & teckler2) are doing well and that soon2besurvivor is also doing well after her 3/30 start.

    We are on our way!Smile 

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  • zookeepermom
    zookeepermom Member Posts: 9
    edited April 2011

    Ok....off to chemo #1 in an hour. Thx for the good wishes!  Really glad to hear you've done so well, sudzinvermont!!  I've already taken an ativan because I'm a total wreck.  I know chemo is so different these days, but it's hard to get the pictures of my parents, when they went threw it 30 and 20 years ago, out of my head.  It was beyond horrific.  I just want this Stupid cancer (as my 17 yr old daughter refers to it!) to be done and gone....as we all do, I know!

    Btw, anyone doing neupogen instead of neulasta? That's what my onc has me doing.  What's the difference?

    Oh, and LaureenRomero07, you asked about the PCC.  I'm doing them.  Are you?  When do you start your tx?

    Yes, we're all on our way! Smile 

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  • pawprintgirl24
    pawprintgirl24 Member Posts: 173
    edited April 2011

    i had a reaction to the antibiotics my surgen put me on since my lumpectomy incision was looking kinda funny.headache and fever and rash!!! still have a headache from that. got new meds and hopefully they don't do all that!!! i don't want anything stopping my 11th start date!

    i hope everyone that started today and yesterday are doing well! :) keep us posted! 

     on a brighter note my daughter and i are doing a trail run on her hair for prom which is the 9th!! i can't wait to see her all dolled up!!!Smile

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  • profbee
    profbee Member Posts: 858
    edited April 2011

    Yay!  PROM!  :)  I am totally all about hearing some good news from normal life these days.  I'm sick of hearing myself talk about my cancer.  :)  Zookpr...you're there now and I'm sending you good vibes!  

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  • charlottesmama
    charlottesmama Member Posts: 250
    edited April 2011

    Hey ladies! I'm from the Feb 2011 Chemo gals and want to just pop in to tell you this: I was scared as shit about chemo (doing it before surgery). You know what? It was a breeze. I did 4 rounds of dose dense A/C, and the only side effect I experienced was losing most of my hair. Yeah, that sucks, but I'll take that over the possible nausea, fatigue and being out of it for a week each time. Here's a giggle: nose hair. Who knew? You will miss it. Trust me.

    Here's the deal: if you DO feel sick, tired, etc. after your first infusion (I can only speak here about my experience with A/C), tell your oncologist, nurses, whoever! Don't be shy. Shout it out: I FEEL LIKE SHIT! It's their job to make sure you get through chemo with as little suffering as possible.

    You are all gonna get through this, and it will all be done before you know it.

    So hang in there April showers. We Feb gals and the March cocktail girls are all thinking of you. Check in with us any time, and don't be afraid to ask us questions.

    Cheers,

    Michelle 

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  • shoema
    shoema Member Posts: 27
    edited April 2011

    Hello Ladies! The reality has finally set in and I feel like I am getting ready for a roller-coaster ride, I'm not all that fond of roller-coasters. I had a lumpectomy on 3/8 and am starting to feel like my arm might work again normally. I met with my oncologist today and was given a choice between T/C and TAC. I am having a hard time understanding why anyone would choose TAC if the side effects are worse. Any advice? I get my port on 4/8 and hope to start chemo on 4/14. I will follow with Taxitere x 12 and 6 weeks of rads. Sorry we're in this boat, but it is nice to have others who truly know what I am going through, like - ya, it's only hair, but it's MY hair!

    Stay strong and keep your eyes on the finish line!

    Sudzinvermont, I'm with you! Let's get it started! I'm hoping for a semblence of hair by Christmas! 

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  • artiecat
    artiecat Member Posts: 257
    edited April 2011

    A friend told me about "The Cancer Survivor toolbox" which is offered by the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship,  www.canceradvocacy.org.  You can listen on line or order the cds at no charge.  Covers general cancer issues, not bc specifically.  I have ordered the cds...

    Cheering us all!  Pamela

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  • kg1234
    kg1234 Member Posts: 95
    edited April 2011

    Hi everyone,

    I am starting A/C and T DD (every two weeks) with the neupogen shots on April 14th.  I am 37, found the lump on Jan 1st, I have triplet boys, and I am scared, scared of chemo, but I know I need to go there, and it's going to happen.  In the next two weeks I am scheduled for a breast MRI, CT scan, Bone scan and Echocardiogram.

    I wasn't offered a port, but I am getting a PICC line inserted.  Anyone else?

    Gabbi and Artiecat, I am doing the same treatment as you guys.

    Glad to see this thread up!

    Kg.

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  • soon2bsurvivor
    soon2bsurvivor Member Posts: 22
    edited April 2011

    That is so great that you went to the effort the compile the list.  I am now starting April 13th, delayed due to more testing for the clinical study I am participating in.  I'm feeling better about the chemo after reading experiences on this site,  I met a new friend at my Dr.'s office who just went through the same chemo I am perscribed, and she is very supportive!  I feel so lucky to have support from you all, in addition to my new and old friends and family.  My husband shaved his head, as I have, and we feel more connected then ever.     

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  • soon2bsurvivor
    soon2bsurvivor Member Posts: 22
    edited April 2011

    We live very close and we start one chemo one day apart!  I too had the choice of chemos.  It was very difficult to decide.  I opted for the T/C after three consultations with three oncologists.  Its is more prevalent in West Coast because from what I understand UCLA conducted the T/C studies and will no longer perscribe A/C.  But there is a choice.  

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  • pawprintgirl24
    pawprintgirl24 Member Posts: 173
    edited April 2011

    wow!! soon2bsurvivor!!! you are a brave woman to face this head on and shave your head before you even start!!! and if i remember correctly you were the one that was scared to death of everything!! so proud of you!! my husband is a firefighter and his station is having a head shaving day! but some are already bald so i said maybe they should have to let theirs grow out!! lol!

     i have a chemo class monday (they make you go to at least one before you start here) i keep trying to come up with questions but can't think of any just want to get started...

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