April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

Hi anyone know the difference between a picc line and a port. I am getting a picc line on the weekend doctor said i might not have time for a port when i saw her. All i know is that i have recently been sick and needed Homecare IV hooked up to me for 8 days that kept coming out because my veins had had enough. I hope it will be better than that.

PKate- Thanks for the picc line info i appreciate it. It does sound like it will make it easier on my veins. Mind you it scares me abit that it goes directly to my heart.  My chemo starts April 11th and it is the same as you every other week for 4 months and then radiation. I will know on april 5th how much rads. Sounds like you will be exactly one week ahead of me. I hope everything goes well for you

Hi all. I was diagnosed at a routine mammogram, pretty much on the spot. The Radiologist was very informative and without using the words told me what you fear most at those appointments. I had a bilateral mastectomy on March 7th. I have my first appointment with the Oncologist on 4/4 and have absolutely no idea what to expect. I was told at the beginning that I would need chemo every 3 weeks for 4 months folloing the surgery. I'm going through the reconstruction during this all. I haven't heard anyone else mention that in this conversation. Tomorrow is my first injection in the expanders they inserted during the surgery. Anyone else doing that?

Hello all,

 I will be joining you! I had a BMX on February 8th.  One node involved.  Sounds like similar treatment to many of you - 4 rounds of A/C every 2 weeks and then 4 rounds of Taxol every 2 weeks.  I start April 17th (asked to start a bit later because we had a long planned trip to FL for spring break).

 My doc also said no to cold caps and she is my doc so a wig it is for me too.  My kids (9,7,5) are REALLY not happy about me losing my hair although someone said they will be fine once it actually happens.

I alternate between trying not to read anything about what to expect (I truly believe you hear the worst case scenarios online because those who feel better don't post) and then not being able to sleep and reading things that are not good for me.

At this point I'm just anxious to get things going and be closer to being finished!

Rose

Sandik- I've marked this recent ER/emergency surgery off my list of things I had never experienced before in my life..... lol.  You know it's always something.  

Love your sense of humor--- just what I needed today!!!!

Hey, you know I had to have the UMX to get clean margins after the partial masectomy/lumpectomy.  I knew that I was going to have a second surgery once I knew found out I had BC after the first surgery.  Somehow, it all works out.     

Anyone else experience a MRI guided biopsy? Now there is one I won't forget. And they did that to my good side!

christine227, yes I also had that on my "good side" and it was not fun, to say the least! It was during that procedure that I made up my mind to do a BMX. I just knew I didn't want to go through all of those biopsies ever again. And yes, I also have the TE's. You will probably feel better after your first fill. Most of us have. These darn things never get really comfortable though. Good luck and glad you joined us all here.

I'm with you, mcm24, and I'm sorry you went through the same thing, but at least I know I was not the only one. Here I blamed the Dr for that torture. I'm just hoping I regain some feeling once this is all done with the permanent implants.

Sandik, tolerance meant nothing with that one. Glad for you they only did the wire. Mine didn't deploy after they did the biopsy and my BS said it didn't matter. I guess I'm really not sure when you do a BMX what the point is.

Thanks everyone for being here!

Just had my port put in and I must say that was not fun at all!! I felt like he was choking my lights out. And let me not forget his corny jokes...can u say TORTURE!!! LOL

Hello everyone,

I was diagnosed on February 21st.  I had my lumpectomy & 24 nodes removed on March 15th.  13 nodes were affected so off to chemotherapy.  Yeah!!

I had my port installed last Friday.  It's a bit sore but I am thinking it will be worth it in the end.  I really don't like needles and everytime I have to give a blood sample I almost pass out.

Had a bone scan and CT scan yesterday.  Had drink all that crapola, yuck!!!  I am a bit nervous because am not sure what will turn up on that. Oncologists says that it is not typical but wants a baseline.  That makes me very nervous.  Don't go to see him until Monday. 

Having my first AC treatment on Monday, April 2nd.   Still a bit nerve racked about the chemotherapy, so many different side affects and don't know how I will be affected but just have to keep plugging away day by day.

I lost my mother to breast cancer at age 52 but it was 30 years ago.  I am amazed at all the advancements that have been made, we are much luckier today than 30 years ago.

I am so glad I found this forum.  It has already given me a pick me up reading some of the posts. 

I had to go back to surgery last week to remove more margin.  

I will be having AC every 2 weeks for 4 weeks.  Then I will Taxol every week for 12 weeks.  If that goes well, 6 weeks of radiation.

Nervous about the first treatment.  Everyone I have talked to says the anticipation is worse than the treatment, but how can that be if you lose your hair and feel sick?

I guess just have to wait and see. 

klepine, I have the exact same treatment plan and I, too, had to go back to surgery to get clear margins.  I'm starting chemo on 4/4/12 and am very anxious.  Sure hope we end up with few side effects - good luck to you.

Pkate

Hi, getting my port April 3rd starting chemo Apr 6th. Adrianycin, Cytocan followed by Taxol. AC x4 every other week, then Taxol x4 every other week total 16 weeks followed by 5-6 weeks of Radiation.