Sept 2012 chemo

Hey Wendy, you and I have the same cancer type, (idc) stage, grade, we're both triple neg and we're on the same chemo just a few days apart. That seems kind of amazing! I hope you and everyone else getting treated this week has minimal side effects and a quick recovery. My first day back to work was okay. Slowed down a lot at around 2:30 though. Looks like I'm going to be dealing with some neuropathy for the duration. Boo!



I'm seeing my oncologist tomorrow for blood work, to follow-up chemo and talk more about the pet scan. My guess is that we'll schedule the mri the radiologist recommended. Fingers crossed the spots are nothing...



My heart goes out to everyone who has to worry about bills on top of cancer. Fighting for your life should be your only concern. I like your creative fundraising solutions. I wish you lots of success!

Hi Ladies! I was dx'd almost exactly a year ago, and went through tretament last winter. I wanted to stop by and let all of you know that next year at this time, you will all feel better, and be talking about many things other than breast cancer! I received amazing support from my fellow BCO sisters (we started a Facebook group, and have even gotten together in person). You will get to the other side of treatment and be strong again!

Great to hear from you Amy and that all went well. CKK thanks for the encouragement, it means so much. Wendy hope your feeling well. I had hoped to work today but the cold i have knocked me down plus I have a low grade fever to watch. Could it get anymore fun? lol

I am on day 5, i had a headache day 1 and 2, then tired more day 3. If i didnt have this cold i think i would be fine today. I stopped all my meds after day 3. I am naturally a easily nauseous person so felt it went well from that perspective. hugs!

Sisters - please google Kellie Pickler on GMA today. I just love the story of what she did today.

Hi all,

Well I did my first AC infusion about 6 hours ago. Everything went well, they gave me in pill form Zofram, Decadron before infusion and for 3 days Maxeran, Decadron, and Zofram just tonight.

They scheduled my Mugga for tomorrow...great timing, do they give you an IV, or is it just a scan? Oh and the nurses said I have great veins and with only four AC I don't need a port.....


So far everything is fine, went to Costco for my meds, no dispensing fee, total 51 dollars for all drugs for four chemo treatments, will get most of it back when I send it to the insurance company. I thought it would be a lot more expensive so that was a relief.


I kinda feel like I am waiting for the big flu to hit. I am very lucky my kids are grown, I sure feel for you ladies who have young kids.


Only 1 more week Cindy, it will go fast and if you had a 9lb 5 oz. baby with no meds you will do just fine!..

Anyway, wishing a happy day for all of you...and for the Sept girls who haven't started yet it will come quick...I am so happy the backup troops are in me now killing any cancer cells that may have gotten away!!...I had a friend On another thread say the chemo is not being done TOO you but FOR you......that's a good thing...positive thoughts girls!!



Amy, JoJo Camille and all you ladies who are on your chemo journey I hope everything goes smooth as possible...JoJo hope your cold shakes soon.

Bearcub- good news! Hoping for continued no SE's. My MO put me on antibiotics so looking forward to breathing again!



Question - I really felt my queasiness was very similar to morning sickness. Thoughts or smells of certain foods making go ughhhh. Did anyone think the same? My usual go to things to drink taste off.

Oh My I am very overwhelmed tonight! I did my muga scan today that was easy breezy but I am def stressing on tomorrows 1st chemo treatment! I have been so positive this last few weeks but the whole chemo seems to seal the deal.... I wanna thank all of you in advance for the words of encouragement and ideas to easy my symptoms.

I hope you kick this colds ass then kick cancers ass too!

Off too bed tomorrow is gonna be an emotional one! I am glad to have my husband at my side. Much love to all of you!

BTW a few people have posted Kelli Pickler to my FB group and that is awesome Love it!

ckk... Thanks for the reminder a year is nothing they fly by we all got this one day at a time!

Good luck Amy tomorrow . I will be looking forward to hearing from you . Hope you have a good night sleep . Thank you all for the encouragement again. It feels so good to have all of you. It is so hard to speak to people about what we feel right now , but having this group is great .

Bearcub glad everything went smooth for you!  Hugs to you!  Jojo glad you are on antibotics - what a time to get sick.  Poor thing.  Feel better.  Amy4978 and Cherioo: good luck tomorrow on your first treatment -- I will be thinking of you both tomorrow and we will all be waiting for both of you right here to support and cheer you on. ((hugs)).  ckk thanks for dropping in to give us the encouragement we need right now.  Amylovesbubby I hope you are feeling better today.  Laura we are definately the same stats and on the same treatment.  Hope you are feeling better and getting some relief from your fatigue.  

I'm a bit tired.  I did wake up this morning with what the nurse refers to as "steroid flush."  I did get it again tonight, those damn steriods -- I hate them!  I take my last one Saturday morning.  Actually, the steriod flush gave me a fresh glow, on a postive note.  I had my shot today.  So, now I guess the waiting begins for the chemo fatigue and possible bone pain from the shot.  I'm a little nervous about this, but nothing I can do but go with the flow.  

Wishing everyone a restful night with MINIMAL side effects.  Peace ~~ 

Amy4978, I had my first treatment today and I was an emotional mess last night.  I got up this morning and decided it was something that needed to be done and I just needed to get there and get started.  I found that once I got there I was not emotional at all.  The room was lively, lots of people who were in various stages.  We were welcomed immediately and talked with a lot of the people there!  It was totally different than my mind had set it out to be.  Good luck in morning!

Cheerio - good luck in the morning as well! 

Jojo - hope those antibiotics get you back to your A game quickly! 

Bearcub - sounds very positive for you today!  I get a port on the 14th - had my first treatment w/out but they decided it would be best to get one.

I came home tired from mine and I still am even after a nap.  I think it must just be everything leading up to today....I didn't get the 'feel good' day I was hoping for but other than being super tired I feel decent. 

 Best wishes toall on here - I know everyone is at a different stage and that is what makes this site so great - there is so much to share and I loved ckk's comments about talking about other things than BC someday...looking forward to that!    

Amy - I had my first Chemo today too and it was way less dramatic then I thought it was going to me and believe me, I was a nervous wreck right up until we pulled up to the building!  I had an early appointment so most of the chairs were still open, I was told to pick out my spot for the day and desposited all my luggage LOL  The initial stick into my port hurt, but just a little; I used the numbing cream but the nurses said to be VERY generous with it LOL  Wear a shirt that buttons down at least part way, it'll make it easier for the nurses to access your port.  From there they pulled a little blood from the port and then I was started with a bag of IV fluids, then a bag of anti-nausea meds, then another bag of fluids, a 2nd type of anti-nausea meds, more fluids, then the adriamycin was brought it (orangish-red and you will pee that same color!), then more fluids, then the cytoxan and finally another bag of fluids.  I was there from 9:30 to 3pm.  I haven't had any nausea, no problems eating or drinking but I feel tired, right down to the bone and I can't seem to get enough fluids in.  Crazy, right?!?!!  I'm still drinking water and peeing clear but I have cotton mouth.  Tomorrow is my neulasta shot and more fluids...so my port is still 'accessed' but taped down to protect it.

The nurses did tell me that my SEs will kick in days 2&3 and said to report all to my MO when I see her again on the 12th; unless something urgent comes up before then.  All in all, very smooth day, lots of friendly people and got my exercise in having to make so many runs to the little girls room!

Good luck to all who start their chemo today *hugs*  Its back to bed for me  

Dear Whenlifegivesyoulemons.  I know. I know.  I  am there--except that I am lucky because I am old and retired.  It seems cancer has taken over my time and life.  It's tests and scans and Dr. appointments, and procedures, and now I'm, told nine months of my remaining life is theirs.  THEIRS. I start chemo next wed.  Had hoped for Thursday  or Monday.  I just want to get it over with.  I even have to go to another hospital site-not the one where my O doctor is or O nurse-but a managable distance or it would be another 10 days or more--and I so much want to get through 4 cycles of A/C so that I can enjoy Thanksgiving with some of the family.  I'll have your back--at least on line.  This BC.org has been my mind saver--answering questions--strong supportive people.  Not at all like scared stupid me that can't seem to concentrate to get work done. I need to focus--do more than pay bills.  Lots of personal projects that have been left half done.  Piles of papers to file or process.  Think I'll go back to bed and try for a couple more hours sleep. 

Firestorm/Sherbab - breath a sign of relief!  You did it.  Amy and Cherioo best of luck, we are there with you in spirit.  Wendy - thanks for explaining that steroid "flush" - I wondered why I had this beautiful glow after chemo..lol.

After starting my Z Pak I can report I FEEL MARVELOUS.  How can that be as a chemo patient? LOL  

Whenlife -  we are all here for the 6 month haul.  I (at this point) do not know the extent or type of surgery I will have.  It will depend on my response to treatment. My mother was diagnosed at the same age as me and passed a year later after no response to chemo.  I am BRCA neg so it is just a strange twist of irony, but weighs on my mind daily.   I so remember the early days - everything revolved around the cancer word in my brain.  When I would wake, I would have a few seconds of normalcy, then the "oh I have cancer" would kick in.  I feel that initial time is almost like a mourning period.  We will never be the same people we were before cancer.  We have to grief some to move on.  The acceptance comes slowly and the fears do ease, but look at the positive.  You will never take a day for granted now and as Elizabeth Edwards said "Live Deliberately".  Make each second count, never miss an opportunity, and always embrace the people you love.