January 2012 chemo

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  • Kitchenella
    Kitchenella Member Posts: 279
    edited January 2012

    Wow.  I just slogged through all the posts from Monday. (since I'm 7 hours ahead of EST I get to them Tues. AM here.)  

    From what I'm reading it seems to me the TCH folks are having the hardest time.  I'm an, ACX4 -TH x 12 with the H for a year, gal and actually felt really good the first 2 days after my first treatment. My friend and adviser who went through my regimen 5 years ago says it is from the steroids. If I was a working girl and this pattern stays I'd plan on working on day 2 and 3 for sure. Perhaps it is the "T" that is causing the bad nausea?

      Day 3 I had some pain from the shot but 400mg of Tylenol took it all away.  Day 4-7 I had some stomach gas attacks but eating light and taking Pepcid Complete helped.  I've had no constipation but my BM's are 'different' than normal.  I'll spare you the details.

    FLDREAMER I will be 69 in May.  I was worried that my age would make it harder but so far I seem to be doing better than the young gals.  Although I don't have the extent of pre existing health problems you have.  Good luck.

     CHARB and others who are stuck in their recliners.  All I can recommend is to try to keep moving.  I went for a short walk every day until my WBC plunge.  If I got tired I would rest awhile but tried to do some little project. between rests just to keep moving. I pick projects that don't have to be finished once started.  Like straightening my linen closet.  If I do one shelf and get tired I quit and save the other shelves for another time.

    I only pray for everyone that the SE's are not bad and we all emerge cancer free!

    Peggy 

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  • Bogie
    Bogie Member Posts: 286
    edited January 2012

    Laura, Did your not having chemo, did the size of your tumor and being invasive and not contained in the ducts have any bearing? If your HER2 test came out negative were you going to have the Oncotype test done to determine



    How did your cold caps work and how do they work?



    Thank, just checking all my options.

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  • Kitchenella
    Kitchenella Member Posts: 279
    edited January 2012

    Kite. My friend who finished all this hell 5 years ago said the Hercepting for a year was a piece of cake compared to the chemo.

    Peggy 

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  • kenyohunt1
    kenyohunt1 Member Posts: 53
    edited January 2012

    Hi ladies

    I started I was dx in Nov found out the day before Thanksgiving. I started chemo in Dec but only had on tx., so I feel like I can join you all in the Jan group. I had chemo Jan 3 this time around the SE were a little more intense for me I felt bad the same days as the first treatment but again the SE were more intense. I think I didn't drink enough h2o this time around. I have another infusion Jan 24 this will be 3 of 6 for me so will be at the half way point. The good news is on the TCH I feel my tumor shrinking literally feel its size going down so hopefully this will be worth it.



    I am one of those that this is a second time for me. I had BC three years ago, had mastectomy only no other treatment. So this time around everything is being thrown at it. My profile says stage IV because technically I am had 2 little node light up near the strenum on the border of the chest wall, but my BS and Once both said could be either IIIc or IV. Doesn't really matter to me what they call it its still BC, but at this stage it is still able to be treated successfully. Hope to be able connect in this group, my post go largely unanswered most of the time, so I still feel alone here.



    I hope that the treatment side effect start to subside for those having them and those that haven't had very many I hope that keeps up for you. We all have to keep in mind that this to shall pass even if sometimes it dosen't feel like it will. I still believe that even being a two timer.



    Yolanda

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited January 2012

    Morning ladies :-). Today is my first day back at work (but working from home today) so I'll be absent from the forums for a number of hours. Hope everyone has a lovely day!



    Planning on a walk and then work from 9-5 with a 1hr break for lunch. Part of the rules for working from home are to keep a log of achievements so no slacking off today. I've woken without the nausea feeling so have just taken a Maxolon for now and not a Zofran as yet.



    Glad the chemo fog doesn't seem to have hit yet because I've got a telecon this afternoon with my trial operations executive teams (oncs, managers, study chair etc)...



    Jenn

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  • CharB22
    CharB22 Member Posts: 310
    edited January 2012

    I think part of why I was feeling so crappy yesterday and stuck in the recliner is that I think I'm coming down with my usual January cold. Up at 5:45 am with a sore throat. Ugh. I'm working from home today and my MO wants me to come in tomorrow for a CBC since this is all new to me (1st AC was Thurs). I'm on day 6 now so no more steroids -- I read the SE for those and they cause nausea too. Duh.

    If it wasn't so rainy out today, I'd even manage a walk!

    My head feels funny today - almost like my hair is heavy. Good thing I'm picking up my wig Thursday. I did make it out to the store yesterday and got 2 cute hats.

    Less whining today!! Yeah!

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  • ely136839
    ely136839 Member Posts: 30
    edited January 2012

    Well I can definitely relate to those of you who were active and relatively healthy before BC because thats how I feel-well how I felt. I hate sitting in my recliner, but there are days when that's all I feel like doing. I am so used to being on the go that it is hard for me to just sit there. I have, however, come to the realization that it is OK for me to just do nothing. It is hard, but if it will help me have a better treatment with minimal SEs then that's what it has to be.



    I am one week out from my first treatment of A/C and really only felt bad days 3&4. I am waiting for the hair loss which I agree is probably the hardest part because then people will really know you have cancer. What really stinks for me is that I have always hated my hair, but just in the past year or so, I have actually liked my hair and how it has progressed. Now it will be like starting all over again. It has taken me 40 some years to get to this point and now I wonder how long it will take for me to like my hair once this is all over? LOL



    Today I saw the MO and she just informed me that when I am finished with 3 more A/C instead of getting the taxol for 4 treatments every 2 weeks I will now be getting it once a week for 12 weeks-ugh! I already had it in my mind that I will be done in April now it will be May. that's such a bummer:(

    Best wishes to everyone!

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  • DianeNMil
    DianeNMil Member Posts: 130
    edited January 2012

    Well no birthday Chemo for me...was supposed to start today....my birthday, but was still waiting for insurance to approve herceptin.  I am starting tomorrow morning.  I didn't have "chemo school".  I wondered why?????

    Depressed but very anxious to get started!!

    Anyone else starting tomorrow??

    12 weekly taxol/herceptin  followed by 40 more herceptin

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  • kameli16
    kameli16 Member Posts: 10
    edited January 2012

    Just a quick note - my mom jennyruth - has posted in here.. She has had her first chemo and second will be on Thursday. She is 66 yrs old.. had bil mastectomy and I am amazed at how wonderful she is doing. Her spirits are up.. She is feeling good.. very minimal symptoms (She does the Claritin with her shot) She really is amazing!!! She is taking this head on.. and fighting.. she will not let this get to her at all. I am so proud of her... soooo proud.

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  • Momof2inME
    Momof2inME Member Posts: 683
    edited January 2012

    Hi Everyone,

    This is day 9 for me. Finally was able to get out of bed yesterday. This first treamtent knocked me flat..... The neausea and chills were relentless for several days. Saw my MO yesterday for a recheck and he says next treatment I will come in next day for neulasta shot and stay for a bag of fluids and more IV anti-neausea meds. Hope it works..

    I was hospitalized several times for each of my pregnancies for hyperemesis (lots of violent vomiting). I wonder if some of us just have weaker stomachs than others. I have been married for almost 13 years I think I've seen my husband vomit twice. TMI I know. I tell him he has guts of steel....Smile and I would like to borrow them for about 5 months.

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited January 2012

    Hello January sisters!  I am a December groupie, having TCH #3 of 6 on Thursday.  Just wanted to say that you can do this!  I had a smooth first treatment, minimal SE's.  Went in for 2nd and had a reaction to the Taxotere...very scary.  But my MO and the nurses were quick to respond and wonderful...I was able to finish with no problems and had minimal SE's again.  We have all been through so much already by the time we reach chemo....we can do it together! 

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  • CharB22
    CharB22 Member Posts: 310
    edited January 2012

    ely - why such a spread on the Taxol? We have different types (I'm TN, yet I see we're getting the same drugs...seems odd...) I had pretty much the same reactions on day 3 & 4.

    Momof2inMe - glad to hear you're feeling better. At my MO, they asked me a couple of times how I handled morning sickness with both of my pregnancies...fortunately, mine were mild. She said that they've found a correlation between how well a woman handles morning sickness and how well her body handles chemo. For your sake, I hope that's not true! But, so far, so good for me. :)

    The sun came out!! I may get that walk in afterall.

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited January 2012

    ely: you and I are almost treatment twins. I had my first FEC of 3 last Thursday and will be doing the 12x Taxol after. The reason some MOs are now moving to the 12 week regime is a research paper that showed less SEs and a slightly better progression free survival that way.



    My FEC is basically AC but with Epirubicin instead of the Adriamycin (same family of drug) and with the extra 5-FU. Gotta love being "young" so they feel they can half kill you a bit more...



    Jenn

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  • Lumpynme
    Lumpynme Member Posts: 747
    edited January 2012

    kenyohunt1;

    i'm not sure if i belong here or in february so i am sure it is not a problem! this is a great group of gals!

    sorry that you are going thru round 2 of everything! that is one of my biggest fears (i haven't started any treatment yet due to a move this weekend) so i am thinking maybe double mx??

    anyhow- i have to agree that no matter what "stage" they call it is still bc!hang in and try to keep your humor!!! some days that, and faith if you believe in a God or higher power, is all that gets us through!

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  • Lumpynme
    Lumpynme Member Posts: 747
    edited January 2012

    DianeNMil

    happy birthday! is it a cake day for you??????????  mine is the 28th......

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  • kenyohunt1
    kenyohunt1 Member Posts: 53
    edited January 2012

    Lumpynme

    It is round two for me but the first time I did not have chemo or ads just mastecomy on the affected side and it came back this time on the same sidebut God has blessed me with a great sense of humor. I don't know how I would get throght this without my faith or my humor. I will have to tell you some of my chemo brain stories they are too funny. I am a nuuse and work for hospice, believe it or not that helps. I am always taking care of someone else so I don't have time to focus to much on myself, but I do have those days that I don't feel like laughing. My 3rd cycle is next Tuesday, so here's to a side effect free cycle for all of us. Unfortunately I had a terrible time with morning sickness with two of my three kids so I am not sure what my chances are with the side effects ( I am terrible with math)....

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  • Janetanned
    Janetanned Member Posts: 532
    edited January 2012

    Hey Yolanda - Sorry to hear that this is your second time around!  Once is enough for any of us (I hope!). It seems that your tx (TCH) is particularly difficult.  Hang in there, I think I read that tx 4 thru 6 get easier(?). 

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  • Janetanned
    Janetanned Member Posts: 532
    edited January 2012

    Ely - I've noticed that some are having their taxol tx changed to the 12 weekly infusions.  I guess it is for the best. But I feel like you, lets not draw this out any more than necessary.  I go for my second tx this Friday.  I hope there are no changes for me.

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  • Laura5133388
    Laura5133388 Member Posts: 577
    edited January 2012

     Bogie, My biopsi did not show her2+, so my plan was to have a lumpectomy and radiation. The tumor ended up testing her2+ so it was a big shock to hear chemo as part of my treatment. You need Herceptin to fight her2, and they don't recommend Herceptin alone. The cold caps worked like a miracle. I am done with chemo, and have all of my hair (on my head anyway). It is incredible. The website for the cold caps is  www.msc-worldwide.com . There is a thread on this website called Cold Cap Users, Past and Present if you are interested.

    kameli16, You sound like such a sweet daughter, you remind me of my own sweet daughters who have been a tremendous help to me throughout this.

    kenyohunt1, So sorry that you have to go through this again. You are not alone Smile

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  • grateful33
    grateful33 Member Posts: 58
    edited January 2012

     Hello everyone. I've been reading all your posts for the last two weeks and finally have the nerve to post something.  I have learned so much from all of you and feel we are connected as we share our sorrows and triumphs through chemo. I start AC x4 tomorrow am followed by T x 4. I am getting more and more anxiety as the night wears on....

    Port placement was yest am and still quite painful. Thank you all for being there and sharing your stories. I wish and pray for side effect free cycles for us all!

    xo

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  • NancyHB
    NancyHB Member Posts: 1,512
    edited January 2012

    I think I'm on Information Overload, and I have two questions going into my first treatment on Thursday.  Can anyone offer advice?

    First - has anyone used the Emla cream with their port - or is it just not necessary?  You think I'd be used to being poked by now, but I'm not, and I'm wondering how much it hurts to access the port?  Mine was placed almost a week ago so has had some healing time.  My nurse said Emla was a waste of time, because it would only numb the surface and "not all the stuff below that."  I trust your experiences more than her advice.

    Second - I'm planning on taking Claritin to counter the Neulasta shot.  I know it's the regular, and not Claritin-D, but I keep hearing both 12- and 24-hour doses.  Which works best?  Also, I take it the night before?  The day of the shot, and a day or two after?  Just trying to figure out timing.

    I will be *so* glad when Thursday's over with.  But I'm so darned scared for it to be here, too.  Sorry for whining.  Thank you!!

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  • Janetanned
    Janetanned Member Posts: 532
    edited January 2012

    Has anyone actually shaved their heads yet?  I know a few have gotten short haircuts.  I went shoulder length at Christmas.  Now I'm trying to figure out just how much more 'hair' time I have.  My hair is definitely getting ready to do something.  Its just not making itself clear on what it is going to do.  Surprised 

    Should I just pick a day and do it?  Or wait until I can't wait any longer?  I have my wig and a few head coverings.  More on the way from ebay.

    Laura - I didn't look into the coldcaps once I realised how much work they were.  I will be going to chemo alone most of the time.  So, no helpers to change caps etc.  Also, I was told that they were not as effective with AC tx.  I did buy the stuff you put on your eyebrows and lashes.  I think I already messed up the application schedule.  Oh well.

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  • Janetanned
    Janetanned Member Posts: 532
    edited January 2012

    Nancy - I had my port put in on a Wed and started tx two days later.  I was so afraid that it would hurt.  However, I was pleasantly surprised that I barely felt a thing.  Just a quick pinch.  Once it was in, I felt nothing!  Much easier than having an IV placed. I think the nurse thought I was a little loopy!  I was sooooo relieved, I was almost giddy.  So, hopefully your experience will be the same or better!

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  • Gayle56
    Gayle56 Member Posts: 277
    edited January 2012

    Janetanned    I had my hair color appointment this past Sunday and she said to wait and see what happens.  You can always shave your head if you need to.  She said if it just thins she can cut it so it doesn't show much.  I personally am willing to wait and see what happens. 

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  • Janetanned
    Janetanned Member Posts: 532
    edited January 2012
    Grateful33 - Good luck tomorrow. I have the same tx as you but I am almost 2 weeks ahead of you.  For me, it has all been manageable.  I worked (teacher) a full week last week, even though I was not feeling terrific.  This week is even better.  So far, I am almost back to my post surgery 'normal'.  Make sure to keep hydrated, take meds when you first feel sick and rest when able.  You can and will do it!
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  • Gayle56
    Gayle56 Member Posts: 277
    edited January 2012

    Today went very smoothly.  I had fluids, steroids, Taxotere and Cytoxan.  I had no reaction which was good.  They used a vein in my hand that was a little painful after a while.The nurses were very nice where I went.  I was in an area basically by myself, my husband was with me, and we watched tv, talked, I read, etc.  I am a bit hyped from the steroids but I was able to drive a half hour a way and back to take my daughter to her dance class.  I am a little anemic so I have to start a multivitamin.  No  Neulasta for this time.  My MO will wait to see how my counts are when I come in three weeks.  He came by to see me and explained everything again.  I got a prescription for Zoltran on my way but.  It was pretty uneventful so we will see what will come next. 

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited January 2012

    Mine is dropping more than normal (6th day after tx) but I'm waiting cause I don't want to have a cold head at night yet. I have always felt the cold so that's going to be a big challenge...



    Jenn

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  • Gayle56
    Gayle56 Member Posts: 277
    edited January 2012

    Diane NMil    Happy Birthday - Sorry you didn't get to start today.  Here is to hoping that tomorrow goes smoothly for you.

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  • grateful33
    grateful33 Member Posts: 58
    edited January 2012

    Thank you Janetanned. It helps to know it is doable and how well you did. Also I feel better knowing you had your port in 2 days before treatment (like me) and it wasn't too painful. I got my long hair (mid back) cut last week to a very short bob. Am also considering shaving when it starts to really go. So hard to imagine that the day before chemo

    Gayle56- I'm glad things went smoothly today

    Nancy- good luck with treatment #1

    xo

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  • hotlyn
    hotlyn Member Posts: 22
    edited January 2012

    Hi all, 

     Just a quick note to say I'm feeling better today.

    Feels funny with a shaved head though.  Yesterday I had to go to work for an hour and  so had to wear the wig. Wig looks ok, but it was very hot here and wearing a wig sure is a challange in hot weather!! and the other thing Iv'e noticed is without any hair on a hot day perspiration just runs off my head... makes me realise how much perspiration our normal hair takes up. 

     I forgot to mention in my rant yesterday that I am constantly "up" because of the steriods. I have inflammatory arthritis and when it is out of control my rheumy puts me on cortisone tabs which work a treat, however I then have cortisone withdrawel when coming off them,,, so to prevent that the onc has me on steriods tapering down until the next infusion next Monday and even though the dose is now is pretty low I am always on an 'up'.. sleeping is the hardest. I go to sleep and wake up every few hours ready to do something, anything , so I read, walk around the house, Txt , play words with friends, watch tele ( alot) , I wish I could sleep during the day but the steriods have me just high enough to stop that !!

     Any way Hope everyone is as well as can be expected on the other side of this big planet of ours .. Lynne

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