Sept 2012 chemo

So, I've been home about 7 hours now... So far, so good.  Got a smidge of a headache when the 'roids were added to the IV but two Tylenol did the trick just fine.  Felt a little light-headed after the anti-nausea med and that feeling didn't go away til I tried to take a nap around 4. I was never quite able to fall asleep tho... everytime I started to drift off, I had to pee! Curse all this water!!!

 Right now, my biggest complaint is that I was told I could only have one Diet Pepsi and one glass of wine a day! Wow, they really know how to hit a girl where it hurts!

Oh, and I'm 44 with three kids...Twins are 16 year old fraternal girls and Plus 1 is 11.

Keep your hands and feet in the ride at all times, folks.  We're in for an adventure!

I found my lump in May. It was very small and felt similar to other fluid filled cysts I had previously. By July however it had grown to over 3 cm's. I knew then it was more than a cyst. I will never forget the face of the lady who did my mammogram. She looked so grim when she said - go ahead and get dressed the radiologist would like to see you.



I have 2 children and 3 stepchildren (18B, 18G, 21G, 30G, 33B) and 2 grandkids who call me JoJo!

Cherioo havn't yet, but felt close. Hope your feeling better soon.

Hi guys wanted to see if anyone has thrown up after chemo ? I just lost it . I am taking my pills as prescribed maybe just had reaction

Waitingforthenextstep-Glad you are feeling better. Wonderful that everyone is ready to step in with meals.   That will be one less thing you have to worry about.  When I felt like cooking, I did.  When I didn't, my husband and children would make sure there was dinner.    I know how you feel about trying to maintain a sense of normalcy in your life.  Most of the time, I did the usual things (shopping, laundry, washed dishes, cleaned around the house) that I had done before.   Yes, I pushed myself to do these things because I felt I needed to do these things to help me to keep moving forward.  My husband and family understand my need to maintain my independence and support me as best they can.  Sending you lots of HUGS and positive calming thoughts and energy.

Hi guys wanted to see if anyone has thrown up after chemo ? I just lost it . I am taking my pills as prescribed maybe just had reaction

I'm 56, no kids and 2 cats. Any other single ladies here? I always felt cancer was inevitable and worried how I'd get through it by myself. Well, my friends and my co-workers have been great, and I'm learning it's okay to ask for help.



I didn't find the cancer myself - I was having a 6-month follow-up mammogram on my right breast. The right breast was fine; the radiologist found the cancer in my left breast.



9 days down since chemo started; 2 days of neupogen shots down; I'm getting my blood counts checked again tomorrow. (correction; today. 3am??? I wish I could sleep!!) Lets hope those white blood cells are back in business!

Good morning everyone from sunny England (not!)

Cheerioo--sorry to hear the chemo's making you throw up. This hasn't happened to me yet but it affects lots of people this way I think.

Mindy--I never had any bone pain from the Neulasta so this doesn't happen to everyone.  The only thing is to make sure that they take it out of the fridge before giving it to you.  The first time I had it they didn't and it hurt alot around the site for a few hours.

I found my lump at the end of June.  It was a Wednesday evening and when I was getting undressed I felt a slight twinge in my breast and when I ran my hand down the front it just felt a bit harder in one area.  I actually thought I was going to faint or throw up and can remember sitting on the edge of my bed with my head between my knees.  Using one of these "what are your chances of getting breast cancer" web sites, mine was calculated as a risk of 0.4% so I spent the weekend researching all the other things it could be. The hardness was still there by the end of the weekend so went and go it checked on that Monday. I can remember the surgeon showing me the mammogram pictures and just seeing it there--wow--so stark and obvious.  And the lovely radiologist who did the fine needle biopsy telling me that, in her opinion, it looked like a "little cancer" although we'd need to wait for the pathology report.

Like mature and sensible adults, my husband and I came home that evening and consumed several bottles of our finest red wine.  The following morning, it was assembling the troops and devisong the battle plan!

Welcome, Toastiecat! I am having the same protocol as you. I've had 2 treatments of 12 so far. Weekly, right? Although, I haven't had my surgery yet. The doctors want to shrink the tumour before surgery. I think as you read this forum thread you'll find we were all nervous before starting chemo but sometimes the fear of the unknown can be worse than the actual chemo itself. I haven't had any side effects of the Taxol or Herceptin yet. I've been told that the it is cumulative and will take its toll eventually. That said, I am experiencing side effects from the steroids they administer before the Taxol - difficulty sleeping and my skin is breaking out like a teenager's!!

I'm 48 years old (diagnosed at 47.5) and I have a husband and a 10 year old son.

Cherioo - I did not throw up during my AC weeks. Fairly close a few times but mostly just coughed and wretched a bit. I only used the topical anti-nausea I was given: promethazine; and I used it about every 4 hours instead of 6 hours as indicated. I also used a lot of ginger, especially the first go-round. I tried the pill ondansetron once or twice and it seemed like it hurt my stomach. Stomach and gut tightness/pain was more of an issue for me.

I did not get bone pain from neulasta shot either but it did completely knock me on my butt about 24 hours later. I usually slept through a day or two. I literally could not stay upright.

I'm on day 3 after my 3rd infusion of Taxol. oh my aching everything! waaaah! ok, that's all.

Hi everyone, I have been reading your posts and have forund you all informative and inspireing.  I'm starting Chemo today and thought I'd introduce myself. I'm Jodi, Im 39 years old. I have a husband and 2 children, 5 year old boy and 9 year old girl.  I was able to send them off to school today with smiles and laughter. What a gift! Thank you Steroids:) I am considered Triple Neg, but have HER2 Low so I got in the trial to have Herpacin.  I know this is what will save me...My Grandmother had the same exact cancer in 1984, and eventually passad away from it in 1998. At that time all they did was a Mastectomy. I am truely blessed to have many more options. I am secrerety excited for today. Maybe I'm a bit crazy:) Let's get the show on the road!

Thanks for all the replies about the bad taste in my mouth.  We went to 4 different places last night looking for sugar free lemon drops and couldn't find them, even at the grocery store!   We ended up buying an assortment of sugarfree candy and I tore open the bag in the car and sucked down 4 of them in a row.

I never heard of the rinsing your mouth in the oil but I am going to try that  The cranberry juice sounds very appealing too.

It's funny about craving tart and salty because I couldn't figure out why I was craving potatoe chips but now I see why!

My next chemo is October 2 and I'm already hoping September never ends.  It's amazing  how much this forum helps me.  Thank you for everyone being out. 

Hi all,  Oh how sorry I am for you young mothers.  How hard to go through this and handle a family too.  I find that I was unprepared mentally for the complete loss of energy I enperienced on the 4th day after A/C chemo.  Almost too tired to breathe.  I know people who continued to work, raise families, deal with life.  I couldn't finish empting the dishwasher the 5th day.  Back to Cancer center 7th day, and daily neupogen shots for five days to follow.  Also lecture from nurse that I have virtually no immunity to germs.  Mask, no uncooked food, no contact with anyone, and husband has a sinus infection.  Apparently, this is the new me.  She said, maybe for 9 months.  Uggggh.  BUT. at 75, no jobs, kids. and I have Medicare thank God. 

Terrible to have a port that doesn't work.  Sounds like it was improperly installed.  I sing the praises of mine with blood work almost every other day.  Cancer center has impressive machines.  Blood in one side, Buzzzzz. Print out on other in about a minute.  Incredible technology.  I wonder how many lab tech jobs that machine replaced.  I thought they must cost a fortune, but the Cancer Center where I go isn't that big and they have at least two on the floor.

I was keeping the list of all the September members of the Exclusive Club No One Wants To Join, but have been too tired to bring it up to date.  When I feel better, will add two or so names I noticed, and ages, and kids.  Easier to print it off and work from print sheet. 

Have a SE free weekend.  Hang in there.  I want a five year reunion on this site with ALL of the sisters.

Cindi hang in there, sounds like you are doing a bit better.



I am shocked that there are so many 30 and 40 year olds here. The fact that you are dealing with cancer and maintaining your families with young children is amazing, you inspire me.



Cindi, I will be here for the 5 year reunion....yes All the sisters!

Jodirocksthepink-  Hope your time in the chemo chair today is easy and wish minimal side effects for you.  Just wanted to let you know that I am also in the Herceptin B-47 clinical trial for low HER2 score patients.  I've been under the study since April 24, 2012.  I am also receiving the Herceptin.  I'm 6 weeks PFC now and just had my second Herceptin only infusion.   I have 9 more Herceptin rounds every three weeks until next April.  I am closely monitored by the cancer research coordinator at the place I'm being treated at.  I also keep a daily log of the food I eat and drugs I take to help track myself for any side effects from the chemo and Herceptin and give that info the research coordinator.  I know that this tracking is not required under the study but it has helped me to remember when to take what drugs and what I ate between each round of chemo and what worked well.  Wishing you the best of luck today!!!!