August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!

I think I'm also in the minority again in that I do not have a port. While easier, my Onc was against it as he said if I happened to get an infection, etc, it would be a pain in the a&&. He said since I'm only having 4 treatments and that my veins are pretty good, we'll go the IV route. That was fine with me. I had complications from my 2 lumpectomies, that I'd rather not go thru another "procedure".

I'm not knocking the port at all -- I'm sure it works out well for you gals that have them.

VTEllen -- girl, maybe you are doing too much! I'm sorry your blood counts, etc aren't up. 

Also, watch those litter boxes -- I was told by my chemo nurse NOT to partake.  I can pick up dog poop if I walk little Nacho, but I use a paper towel and dog-baggie/gloves and then religiously wash my hands afterwards. If he goes in the backyard, it's even better (poops are small, thank god!) I'm sure you are being careful though.....(((HUGS)).  

I can't believe I feel better today -- it must be a dream 

I'm finally feeling well enough to sit in my chair and catch up with all of you! So much has happened on here! I'm feeling better today - MUCH better today. Worked a little bit this morning, and promised more for the rest of the week. My first T/C was on Friday. I had diarrhea at first, then the dreaded constipation, indigestion...stomach pain, but not much nausea. But the muscle aches are horrible! My husband says I keep moaning in my sleep! Finally took a Vicodin last night, and I think it helped!

Haven't really had the bad taste in my mouth, so I can't weigh in on the great Biotene debate yet! 

I had to ask specifically for the Oncotype Dx test. My insurance did cover it after review. But my score was 21. In the mid-range. I could have skipped the chemo, but my oncologist said she thought that she would do chemo if it was her...and I figure she's the smart one here. My GP agreed, he was voting for chemo even before the test. He believe you should buy whatever extra insurance you can with this stuff!!! So, chemo it is. And now that I've committed, I needed to be talked back into it after the 1st treatment!

Had some trouble with the IVs during the infusion, and the nurses are insisting I get a port. With only 3 treatments left. Part of me thinks that the nurses just don't want to mess with my veins, which aren't all that bad I don't think. I don't think my onco nurses are very good at it...maybe they don't get a lot of IV practice because of ports? At any rate, port placement is scheduled for 8/30, next treatment 9/2. And the happy news, my best friend has her C-section scheduled at the same time as my infusion! The new baby will be exciting happy news in the middle of this! 

I have two wonderful dogs, also, as well as two kitties and my son's pet turtle! They are awesome company on the rare days that I'm home alone.

Hope you all are feeling well. Welcome new people! Sorry we have to get together here! 

Peachie...you may not need more disability.  Many of the ladies are working through their treatments.  You'll just have to see how it goes.

Sweeney...thanks for stopping in to say hi and remind us that it does get better!

VtEllen...My leg/underarm hairs have slowed but not stopped.  My hair is coming out big time today.  It is day 17 for me.  started AC on 8/1.  I have been wearing a head cover when preparing food because the hair is all over.  I may wear my wig later today.  Haven't decided.

Madis...Emend is the one I get dripped in before my treatment.  I believe it is newer/better than the Zofran.  Not sure.  The compazine is an 'oldie but goodie' that they start with.   I have the Z and the C at home.

EEkwine...I was told days 14-19.  My onc was surprised that I had so much left when I saw him for my second treatment.

Grimbol...hope today is going better for you.

Chrys...glad it's going better today.

Meholly...I got my wig before I even started treatment.

Robyn...glad you are feeling better.

Today is day 3 of my #2 treatment of AC.  It's going ok.  Feeling tired today, but nothing I can't handle.  Hope everyone is doing well.  I think Summergirl was having her first treatment today.

Hi All!



Glad to hear everyone is hanging in there.



This afternoon I went to visit my dear friend's mother who is a 15 year breast cancer survivor. She had lumpectomy, node involvement, chemo and radiation and is doing great today! Very inspiring. She has also done a lot of work in the theatre over the years and has a whole collection of wigs. She got them out so I could try them on. We just howled! She even had a curly blonde Dolly Parton wig! In the end, there were two that I really liked so she let me borrow them for as long as I need them. I like the one so much I think I may wear it instead of the two that I bought. I should have gone to visit her first!



Meholly, I think the nurse misinformed you as well. They told me to expect hair loss around the two week mark. Today is day 10 post 1st AC and I still have my hair. I don't think it is growing much though as I colored it three weeks ago and would normally have visible roots by now, and I don't. I also have noticed less stubble on my legs and underarms.



Kasi and anyone else having treatment tomorrow (sorry don't have the list handy on my iPad), good luck!

Chrys, In everything anyone told me or gave me to read about chemo, there was no mention of avoiding swimming in a pool.  I think it's fine.

Hello - thanks - Im not sure how helpful I can be, but I will try. AC has been okay for me. The worst s/e has been no energy and fatigue! I have been given alot of anti-nausea pre meds and haven't had any problems with that. I did react badly to the Neulasta and told my Onc that I wanted a round without it to see what my body does and I feel much better this time. I do have to go get my CBC done tomorrow and am praying they are good so I don't need the Neulastat on the the next round! After AC next week, I will start 4 rounds of Taxol and not sure how that will be!

I am with yall I just got finished with a/c and now i get taxol for the next 5 weeks had my 1st today .Feeling a lil scared of whats going to be my side effects this time.

Well I made it thru TX #1 today - wahoo!! I was pretty nervous, not knowing what to expect. I don't have a port yet just because timing to see the surgeon, so today I got all via IV. The premeds knocked me out cold, I think probably the benadryl, so I slept thru all the taxotere and carboplatin. Felt a little burn with the herceptin going in. And then they gave me the neulasta shot same day (since I live far from the hospital). Now I just feel tired and am wondering how long the premeds will last for the nausea. Since I didn't sleep at ALL the last few nights, I'm hoping tonight will be better.



So did anyone cut their long hair into a short do before the fallout? I'm wondering if it would help to transition.



Good luck to everyone. Reading your experiences REALLY made me feel better prepared for today and the coming weeks. Thanks so much! Oh, and I vote yes on the biotene!

Mommy...I had my hair cut shorter on about day 11.  It is making the transition esier for me.  Glad your #1 went well.

lele...glad to hear that the Taxol went in easily for you.  That's what is next for me, in about 5 weeks.

Koolaid...I had my #2 on Monday, 8/15 and it is going ok.  I am also finding out that my family just doesn't get it like all the great ladies here do!

Justme...well you have one part of your chemo done and hopefully the next 5 weeks will go by quickly!

Summergirl...what a funny reaction.  At least you were happy!  Good luck today.

I'm up early this morning.  Insomnia?  I am planning on getting some paperwork done soon.  Have a great day, ladies!

Hi ladies.  This is my first post.  I had my cancer removed at the beginning of July.  I got an incision infection where my lymph node biopsy was.  Almost better now...it was pits or awhile...haha  Anyway, one node tested positive.  It was all caught early.  The recommendation is chemo because it went to the nodes (taxotere and cytoxan (IV) with a neulastin next day shot). 

I am scared about doing the chemo.  Scared if I don't do it, cancer will come back somewhere worse.  Scared of the side effects and what to expect from the treatments.  I am pretty resilient and have a good attitude, but nonetheless sounding like a baby here.  Just looking for some words of wisdom from those of you who have made the choice to do chemo or  not and how you cam e to your decision.  Not sure if the side effects of the chemo outweigh the benefits....Any words of advice?

Welcome justme1 and truenorth.

mommyx2, glad your first infusion is over and went okay. I did cut my hair short right before I started chemo. I had a mass of thick curls so I was concerned that once it started falling out, it would be a real mess.

Truenorth, I can't really comment on making the choice to do chemo as I wasn't really given a choice. My cancer was triple negative, grade 3 and in two nodes, so chemo was pretty much a given for me. I'm sure some of the other wonderful ladies on here will hae some words of wisdom for you!