Starting chemo Thursday, May 31 - June Group?

I did ac and had emend via IV and zofran pills for days 2 and 3.  I also had decadron.  Next up for me is taxotere and I have instructions to take decadron 1 day before, day of and day after chemo.  But I would talk to the docs if you have really bad se . . . no need to suffer more than you have to already.

Pamela,  My BS was able to save my skin and my nipple.  It makes a huge difference.  Find out if that's a possibility for you.  My PS told me that once I have my exchange surgery I will look no different than anyone else with implants.  There are more women with implants in Boca than you can imagine!  I am very happy with how my breasts look and will be even happier when I get rid of the TEs and get the implants.  I have always been flat chested and I see this as the silver lining on this otherwise dark cloud.  I did see someone's breasts who had the same surgery I had, but without the skin and nipple sparing.  It does make a huge difference.  The doctor wanted my to have a lumpectomy + radiation.  She was very surprised after the surgery that it was in my lymph nodes and that I had to have chemo and radiation.  She thought that if I had the lumpectomy I wouldn't need either.  Oh well.  I am the type of person who asks the doctors questions, but always go with their recommendation.  It was very hard for me to tell her that no, I didn't want a lumpectomy.  I wanted a BMX.  In the week between my dx and my decision, I found 2 more lumps elsewhere.  They turned out to be nothing, but I knew that if I didn't have the BMX, I would be second guessing avery lump I found for the rest of my life.  I am so happy with the decision I made, but everyone is different and you have to do what's right for you.  The worst time for me throughout this whole ordeal was the week that I spent making that choice.  Good luck to you!!

Pamelahope, thank you so much for taking the time to write me all of that info about the scans.  A lot of that I didn't know.  That the dye can be hard on the kidneys is one example.  You're right.  My MO said she would advise the same treatment with or without a scan.  I feel so reassured after reading your post.  I'll just continue on as planned.  Thanks again.

Mom24boyzs, I was concerned, because I thought that everyone else had scans.  The chemo seems to be working.  My tumor is soft and has shrunk.  I have one more AC left and I hope it's almost down to nothing after I finish with Taxol.  About 15 yrs ago, my mother was diagnosed with BC.  She had a lumpectomy and rads.  Two years later, she was diagnosed with lung cancer and was gone in 3 months.  They never tested to see if it was BC that had spread or if it was a new primary cancer (she was a 50 year smoker.) So, I was concerned about following in her footsteps.  Hopefully, chemo will do the trick for me.  All of the posts here from you and the others who gave me scan info have really alleviated a lot of my worry.  Thank you! 

Kimmie0247,  I haven't been sweating.  Make sure you take your temperature and don't have a fever.  Could be hormones, too.  My dr gave me the option of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy to reduce the size of my tumor.  It it gets small enough, I can have a lumpectomy followed by rads.  I want that, because they said they can save my skin and nipple, too, like 

Marcia1111, thanks for the surgery info.    

Marcia1111, so sorry to hear that your mother is sick.  Always distressing to get that type of news.  I'm sure she'll be ok once she gets her treatment plan (just like us.)  Your son is so sweet and thoughtful.  Sounds like he may take after your husband, too.

Steelersluver, true the scans sound like they could be more added stress.  We all already have enough.  Hope everything comes out good for you.  Thanks for answering.

Ellebee, I also had an MRI and it showed one lymph node.  So, if you had any involvement, it would probably show up.  Thanks for answering me about the scans.  I feel SO MUCH better about this now with all of the replies.  Thanks for the taxol info, too.  I hope I'm zipping around like you while I'm on it.  You give us hope!   

mom24boyz- in the beginning my major se was my digestive system.  I have had mild acid reflex in the past so recognized the early symptoms.  We elevated the head of the bed.  I was taking Zantac off and on...... then my onc..... said take it constantly throughout chemo, I take it AM and PM, she said your whole digest. sys. from mouth clear through is effected.  Then the NP told me to also take a spoonful of Maalox last thing before going to bed and that has helped immensely!!! As it coats the stomach while you are sleeping.    I think the sore throat and possibly tongue is from the acid creeping up at night, so the above will help.  I also have a little dry cough that the NP said was another sign of AR, as it irritates the throat.  I have mouth sores and a huge cold sore, that I can't get healed for over 10 days!!  So can imagine what the rest of the GI tract looks like, ugh!!!  Try not to eat acid foods or scratchy irritating foods, I ate some popcorn one night and stomach ached the entire next day.  We have a huge crop of raspberries and blueberries coming on, I love raspberries but haven't eaten any as I know the seeds and acid would raise havoc with stomach, eat the blueberries as they are less acid and so good for you.

I hope the above is helpful,  bless you!!   We are all going to get through this!!!   Stephanie

VVH-Unfortunately, fluid retention is a side effect of Taxotere.  Try to keep the salt out of your diet if you can.  You might want to talk to your onco on Monday about the fluid retention.  I'm on a high blood pressure med with a diuretic so I'm gettting meds for it already.  As for the "C" train, I take Zofran post chemo for nausea.  The trade off is the ride on the "C" train.  I eat  wheat bran almost every morning, lots of high fiber foods, veggies/fruits, eat dried prunes (Sunsweet Ones which are individually wrapped prunes that are really sweet and moist) and drink lots of water.  Yes, I know the prune thing is not the most appetizing but I just eat one or two prunes after breakfast and dinner.  I tried drinking prune juice again ( I drank that before and after my UMX to help with things) and couldn't make myself drink it.  I'm not taking any OTC for the C train but I've been told to use Senna or Colace stool softener.   It may take alittle while for the Senna to start working.   I'm pretty tired from this last chemo but I make an effort to walk around the house ( way too hot outside) to help keep things moving. 

VVH - constipation is hard because it is easeir to prevent than to treat.  I agree with the ladies about eating high fiber foods.  I eat a bowl of fiber one cereal every morning - there are different varieties and they have between 43-51% o your fiber recommendation.  I am also learning what fruits/veggies have the most fiber.  Avocado surprised me that it has fiber.  I also eat some flavored applesauce containers that have 10% of the daily recommendation.  Nuts and dried fruit also work too.  Oh and I have been taking dulcolax at night as most things you take need 12 hours or so to start working.  And I drink a ton of water!  Actually I found that if I drink a glass or two of water first thing in the morning I feel the urge to go after about 15-30  minutes.  The other things help with the consistency which is much harder than I have ever experienced.  The joys (not) of chemo.

Mom24 - I would talk to your doc if you are still having diarrhea.  Also ask aobut the tongue thing.  What chemo are you on?

Marcia - thanks for sharing your info on your surgery.  Skin/nipple sparing seems like a better option.  I wonder how many docs do them.  I think docs are starting to realize how important it is.  I have been trying for a lumpectomy for the same reason - I want to feel somewhat normal.  But radiation is kindof scaring me.  And I'm not sure if I will freak out after every little twinge or lump or anything.  The other day I felt a little pain in the "good" breast and it made me wonder what was going on there.  I specifically asked and everyone has told me that one is good, but I still wonder. But what I felt was kindof like the mild pain I felt in the tumor area of the bad breast.   I live in Orange County, so fake boobs are everywhere too . ..  but I actually am fine with smaller breasts.  I have c/d's and would be fine with a nice B.  It would make finding a bra easier too, ha ha.

Stephanie - I have been struggling wiht acid reflux too.  I never had it, so this is all new.  Docs gave me pepcid which seems to be working this cycle although I admit I'm not sure if I took both doses on day 3 . . . with so many pills to take I do have a list of when I take them, etc. but I forgot to write a couple down.  I may have to break down and get one of those pill container thingies.  I dont really want to though . . . isnt buying stool softener and hemorroid cream enough?  Do I have to become an old lady and have all of the old lady stuff?  I guess I should just bite the bullet and buy it along with some prune juice.  Oh and my throat is pretty dry, especially way in the back right where the esophogus is.  I guess that is acid reflux too?  Or just overall chemo dryness?

Hey ladies! I thought I would chime in on the whole "poop" topic. Aside from forcing myself to eat loads of raw veggies in salads and as snacks, I have been doing shots of wheatgrass juice every day. Wheatgrass has loads of dietary benefits, not least of which is it's colon-cleansing properties. It helps lube the track and detox the bowel. With all this poison being funneled into us, I think being mindful of detoxing our organs is a good idea. I buy it at WholeFoods in the freezer section. It comes pre-portioned. One dose (1 oz) is about 1.25....which is a steal compared to a juice bar that will charge you 3-4 bucks. If you do get some, make sure you drink it alone. Lots of people mix it with fruit juices to make it more palatable, but that kills a lot of the nutrition. 

Also, I have been drinking a lot of Kombucha and other probiotic drinks. I think the probiotics are helping keep my bowels healthy, and support the immune system as well.

Hope everyone is having a good Monday. I am stuck in the BGC right now. Naptime! 

Also, I cannot stand to eat anything...every now and again 1 item will be appealing .. this morning a milkshake.  i could not conceive of drinking anything else. it would make me sick.  such a strange disease/treatment.

Maxip333, nausea and vomiting was one of my greatest fears before chemo.  With all of the meds prior to the infusion, I haven't had either.  They are given to prevent the nausea and for me, they did the trick.  My biggest challenge during this has been the days with fatigue, but if you drink lots of fluids like everyone has advised on here, you will be ok.  I slacked on the fluid intake before my 3rd infusion, and I paid for it. 

Steve-Billiemae, good to hear from you.  I hope Billiemae is better and has been released from the hospital by now.  Good luck to you!

Radioactivegirl, thanks for the scan info.

VVH, good luck with radiation.  I've had the eating problem recently and today my RBCs were down.  They considered a transfusion, but I'm going to force myself to eat iron rich foods to prevent that next time.  One day, I had an urge for fish and chips, and it had absolutely NO FLAVOR.  I couldn't taste anything!  I've tasted and thrown away a lot of food latey.  Things just don't taste the same.

Mom24boyzs, I had a sore and swollen tongue, and Steelersluver mentioned that whitening toothpaste could cause that.  So, I switched toothpastes and the soreness went away in one day.  No more problems with it.  Maybe that could be it.

Pamelahope, I asked the ON and she said she gives me 12 mg dexamethasone before AC and it will be more before TAXOL.  Nothing to take the day before though.  All the same day as the infusion.  Again, she said that TAXOL is easier - hope that's true.  

I did my last AC today.  I'm so happy.  I told her I was going to celebrate with a beer!:)  Kidding, of course!

Hope everyone is feeling good today and has a good week.