I just found out I need chemo and terrified!

Hi Jersey!

I just happened to see your post -- I'm in Jersey, central area.

Well, I just started chemo last Wednesday on Taxotere and Cytoxin. My treatment will be 4x - each 3 weeks apart. My 2nd infusion is August 31st.  My oncotype score was 16, but I had a positive lymph node, so I knew I would do chemo anyway.  I had a lumpectomy at the beginning of June and then a re-excision July 21st to get clear margins (which were clear!)

I am not working right now; will probably go back on Monday for a week and a 1/2 until my next chemo.  I am taking off at each infusion in the event of side effects. I work for a major Ivy League University and am an administrator, so as you can imagine, with the start of the school semester I am freaking out myself. I will only work when I can and work will have to deal.

I know you are very scared -- it is scary. I've already chopped my hair down and have several wigs ready. My sister cut her hair almost bald in support of me.

All you can do is take one day at a time -- everyone reacts differently to Chemo. Some people are ok and just fatigued and others do have side effects. I can tell you for me, I had a TON of body/muscle aches/weakness over the last two days. I'm eating normally, but my mouth, tongue and teeth feel "weird" and my taste buds are almost gone. No nausea....Today is day 8 after chemo and I'm feeling a little better. But again, you may be ok; you will just have to see. 

There is a good thread on this board called "Tips for Getting Through Chemotherapy" under the Chemotherapy topic forum (http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/478386?page=24#idx_709).  It may be helpful for you to browse through the tips to get an idea of what to expect.

Please PM me if you would like -- I know what it's like to be scared and just terrified of all of this.

Hugs,

Chrys

Hi Jersey,

I am doing Taxotere/Carboplatin but have done Cytoxin too. The  girls are right everyone responds differently. From what you saw of your mom is scary and hard to imagine that your will turn out better. My mom is a colon cancer survivor from 30  years ago. She was so scared and terrified for us both. This is my 3rd dx not thrilled. I do chemo every Wed for 3 weeks then a week off. So happy for that week. I have felt tired, weak, nausea, diarrhea metal taste in my mouth and sores. I recommend to chew on ice while you are in chemo. If you do get mouth sores then ask for a prescription of Miracle Wash. It is great stuff. Does not taste all that great though it works. My naturopath told me to get ginger capsules and that really made a big difference. Right now the hardest thing for me is taking steroids cause I become so bloated and feet are swollen. You constantly eating cause of the steroids. I am more concerned about gaining weight since I have lost 57 lbs than losing my hair for the 3rd time. I just rock it bald cause it is so hot to wear a wig here and I break out in a heat rash and get sores. My daughter recommending putting baby powder on my head before I put on the wig and that actually helped. As far as hair goes my friend told me it is overrated and I got to thinking she is right. It is not easy to go through though. I use to color, style it all the time. It defined me. My daughter is a hairstyles to so I cannot go to her to support her career she just began. That just breaks my heart. I would be a great customer. There is a thread on here about HAIR, HAIR, HAIR...that might be a good source of information for you. Hold your head up high and know you will fight this. You can do this it is doable. Bring a magazine, book, pad of paper, pen or something to do while you are sitting there bored in the chair. I find it boring so I bring something. Hope I did not blabber that much. Take care and many blessings.

I have to admit that I was one of those people who felt lucky that I qualified for chemo. I'd read of so many who didn't need chemo at earlier stages and then recurred, and I (whether it makes sense or not) felt that I wanted to kill as many cancer cells as possible. I have my final Taxol/Herceptin next Friday. Hooray! Started off on 4 cycles, 2 weeks apart, of Adriamycin & Cytoxan. I found the effects cumulative, but that the first week was the worst. I was jittery, felt ill, and had to take breaks to sleep. Nausea meds worked well. I didn't have much of an appetite, though. I worked in a fast-paced environment - an Athletics Office in a private school- and everyone was so helpful. I did leave early a couple of times, not often. Worked all the way to the end of the school year. I am taking next year off though, as rads will fall every school day in Oct & some of November and would just take too much of a chunk of time during the fall season. After that I'll see. 

I really wish you the best. You'll be surprised how quickly the time will pass. You'll have a great chemo nurse and you'll be well-taken care of. Just remember, you're doing everything you can to live a long happy life with your family & friends! 

You can do it!  I worked all through 8 months of my chemo.  I had a choice in my chemo and elected to do the CMF that increased the chance I wouldn't lose all my hair.  I had to do it for longer and I made sure that I did it Friday's in the am as it was onboarded with steriods so I could get through Friday and Saturday was still kinda up so I would cook for the week and Sunday was a total flop on the sofa to get ready for work on Monday. 

I see you have no node involvement - I did but rolled the dice on a 2% less chance of survival and a 30% chance I wouldn't lose my hair by selecting the CMF.  I made it 10 1/2 years cancer free and it has come back - for the past two years, it has been bone only and treating with antihormonals.   It has just done a very odd thing and I am now looking at chemo.  It has mutated and set up shop in my abdominal wall - a very unusual place - still not in any organs so we are going to hit it with 6 rounds of Avastin and Abraxane and I will using the cold cap to attempt to prevent hair loss.  My hair is very long and even though I cut it quite a bit the first time around - it thinned but it stayed so I am hoping to be able to repeat it.

There are so many great folks on here - we are all here to help you get through it - the first time is the worst but it is very doable and it can be adjusted if you have issues - you will get through it and have a wonderful life again.  Feel free to post any issues you are having - we have all been through something and found a remedy of sorts - everyone is different so some things may not work but there will be so many helpful tips...I am sure you will find something that can help with side effects.

Hugs to you and wish you the best!

LowRider