August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!

Welcome LINDY, I have basically the same treatment plan as you. A/Cx4 every 2 weeks then taxol X12 weekly. I am on to my second A/C today. And I haven't had really any SE I have been taking a bunch of supplements, cut out sugar, eating lots of fruits an veggies, acupuncture twice a week to keep my immune system up and the most maybe radical is that I am fasting for 50 hours before treatment and then 6 hours after. It is suppose to protect my healthy cells and allow the chemo to just go after the bad guys. If you want more info on it I can send you a link to the study and there is board on here about fasting before chemo. I am not sure which of these things that I am doing that a making the difference but I read about all the SE that others are having and feel very blessed that I don't need to go through that (at least not yet). I will see how I do after tx 2! Hope your tx today goes smooth. It is not so bad I was a bit scared the first time and even got teary eyed in the waiting room but it doesn't hurt and I watched a movie whole time. I hope you are also SE free.

Hi Chava, 

Can you send me the info on the effects of fasting? I'm curious, but am worried the pills we take afterwards would be too harsh or irritating on an empty stomach.. thanks!  

Hi Everyone...Does everyone usually get radiation after a masectomy? I had a masectomy and one node positive and my onc said I wouldnt need radiation bec I had a  masectomy. I've been reading on here that some of you are getting radiation even though you had a masectomy. I want to make sure I'm doing all I can to make sure this monster doesnt come back!!!

vtEllen - Hahahahaa! Thank you for making me feel better! I know I never think those thoughts when I see someone in a scarf but I am my own worst critic. Perhaps now is the time to let the vanity die. Or at least be less vain. ha!!!!

Chava - Thanks for the links about fasting. I don't know that I dare to attempt it. Me without food is not good and I feel better when I am getting the infusions and I have stuff in my stomach. I am also doing acupuncture, just once a week though. I think that it is really helping me. I don't feel 100% like myself but I am functioning pretty normally without too many SEs. Seriously, the constant faucet of my nose is the only really bad thing (and bald head, lol).

Taylor - I had a double mast and I still have to get radiation (2 positive nodes). The way the RO explained it is that the chemo is good insurance against the cancer going to distant sites but not as good in the local area. So the radiation takes care of the possibility of local recurrence. I wasn't happy about having to do the radiation but I am going with it. 

Interesting information about fasting although I don't think I'd dare try it. I get light headed when I don't eat so I don't think I could manage 2 days with no food!



I'm feeling really weird today, day 4 after 2nd AC tx. Wasn't feeling nauseous this morning but then I threw up a little bit after brushing my teeth (reminded me of being pregnant...I did that every day for 4 months). Feeling okay now, but my head feels kind of fuzzy. Going to try to have a little nap this afternoon.

Hi all.  Just finished round #2 of AC. I'm optimistic that I can get through with fewer SE this time, now that I know what to expect. Salt water/bakind soda rinses are keeping all mouth sores at bay. I've got acupunture tomorrow too, for nausea and general boosting of the immune system. 

Learned today that Taxol is in short enough supply that they'll likely switch me to Taxotere (sp?), along with the Herceptin that I'll take once this AC is over.  Anyone else experiencing the shortage-of-chemo-drugs in the US problem?  It's a national problem right now - NYTimes article here on it.  - http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/20/health/policy/20drug.html

 Heading off to take a nap. 

 Diana 

Oh yes, I have clicked on posts and definitely wished I didn't know that!  Then you visit the doc and he tells you other stuff you hadn't thought about yet too.  This is such a fun time!! However, I did have a PET scan being HER+ I think is what swung that.  Don't freak out you can't change anything, except ask for scans and see what they say.

vtEllen, I had a bone scan, CT scan and MUGA scan. My ONC told me they are standard screening tests that everyone gets. In fact, she was surprised the surgeon hadn't requested them before referring me to her. I'd ask about it if I were you. The tests aren't too much fun but there's some peace when results are clear.



Cupcakies, I have been walking a half hour most days since my first chemo. Last week, I was feeling good so I got up and did some light workouts a couple of mornings. Nothing too strenuous, just some light yoga and resistance training with an exercise ball. I haven't done any aerobics yet. The University of Waterloo has a well-fit program for chemotherapy patients. I'm going to ask the ONC about it next time I go.



Dianamaps, we had a news report last week about some chemo (and other) drug shortages here in Canada. Taxol was not on the list though. It hasn't affected my treatments yet.



Had a little nap this afternoon and I'm feeling better now. Still have that fuzziness in my head, though.

Had second AC today. They told me I have to have a port put in, not so much for the 4 AC infusions every 2weeks, but for the 12 weekly taxols. Tried doing it last week but blood count was too low, so we'll see what happens this time. My SE 's have been manageable - even from the neulasta. I hope it stays that way for this time too. I keep telling myself that I am half way through the AC. Everyone at the cancer center today told me I will lose my hair this week. I have a wig and scarves, but it still doesn't seem real. I am scared.

well after my great day yesterday  thought I was over the nasty stage , I ended up with severe pelvic pain last night , swore I was in labour (LOL) could not get comfortable no matter what I did and had it again  all day even having trouble walking , was wondering if this was from the nuelasta shot its been 5 days since I had the shot though, does this sound normal, nueorphen has helped a little.

regarding exercise I was told exercise is actually great for you while on chemo, also read an article too which states exercise can also prevent recurrence of cancer,

VT Ellen, although I am sure your surgeon knows exactly what he/she is doing, I think I would insist on having a scan/tests , here in Ireland it is standard procedure once diagnosed that you get complete body scan , liver ultasound and chest xrays , I remember being terrified when they told me I had to have all these tests but my surgeon said it is just routine for everyone and am glad know they did ,I am sure if you tell them you are worried they can at least explain why they are not doing them at least to give you peace of mind,

Went today to get the 2nd TX of A/C. My counts were too low so I wait until next week. I'm okay with this, it gives me another week of feeling good. Hope everyone can get some sleep tonight.

I did have a PET scan, which showed something in my armpit where they took the lymph node.  Now of course they don't know if it's cancer, which is how it shows, or just inflammation from the surgery.  However, it was nice to know it didn't show any cancer anywhere else.

Sorry about your rough day Chrys, and your poor cat too.  Hope it picks up for you soon.

Hi everyone, I worked my longest day since my BMX today....about 9 hours. I'm exhausted!!!



Capinva....that stinks your counts were too low but enjoy feeling good a little longer!!



Chrys....so sorry about your pets, I hope they are going to be okay!



VtEllen....like summergirl said, I'm sure your doctor has their reasons for not ordering the scans, i'd call and ask.... I had a whole slew of tests, in my opinion most were a pain in the you know what, but it was my oncologists way of staging me..... I had a bone scan, CT scan, MRI, Muga, lots o blood and full physical. I think that's the list?



Summergirl....ugh on the pelvic pain, I hope that gets better ASAP!!! I'm NOT looking forward to that damn neulasta shot, it seems to have effected most of us on this board..... Which speaking of, I'm a GO for Tuesday's first infusion....my neulasta shot arrives via Fedex tomorrow sometime.



Robo....my oncologist told me she "prefers" the use of "A" in younger women with BC.... That she considers it very effective and the only time she cuts it out is when the heart isn't strong enough??? I would prefer to not have the "red devil" but I'm going to put my faith in my onc??? It's interesting to me how every doctor seems different just a little bit? You're going to Northwestern right? I'm at Rush.....



Taylor....I hope your port starts feeling better soon....it sounds like it's gotten a little better?? Atleast not excruciating ??? We can be terrified together this weekend....I should be sitting in the chair on Tuesday....



Cupcakies....ginger chews? I wonder where I can find some of those, a specialty store???? I'm going to add them to my chemo supply list..... Trader Joe's maybe?

Ellen -- I don't think my fever is an indication of mets; I just get worried that every pain or headache means something is wrong. I'm just nervous about this cancer in general.  My last infusion was 8/10 -- my next one will be next Wednesday.

Thanks all regarding my pets: the abcess for my little Nacho just popped; which is good; I hope he gets some relief soon and that the meds start to kick in. I'm still fighting the vet about my cat; it's 10pm and still nothing (they are open 24hrs). I hope they fed him at least.