I start chemo Wed! What to expect??

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alcb70
alcb70 Member Posts: 166
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
Hi everyone! I am going to have chemo before surgery to try and shrink my tumor and catch any wandering cancer cells since I was positive in a lymph node (at least one that was biopsied).  I will get Taxotere, Carboplatin, and Herceptin.  I get 6 treatments of Taxotere and Carboplatin & Herceptin weekly for 18 weeks and then every 3 weeks for a year.  I know they told me that you will feel bad about 3-4 days after, but do you feel anything during treatment? I want to know what to expect while I'm sitting in that chair.  I'm afraid that if there is something going on I don't expect, I'm going to be afraid it's a reaction.  I am sensitive to getting even IV flushes....I can smell and taste the preservative.  Anyone who can give me a heads up?  The thought of something so toxic going through me makes me sqweemish (how do you even spell that? LOL).  Ha...as if cancer growing inside me is better!?  I went out and got a few hats today....how did you feel when you saw yourself the first time without hair?  Did you go out and get it shaved, or did you do it yourself? I'm trying to stay positive, and look at my losing my hair as a chance to tell people about doing SBE's, but losing 2 very outward signs of femininity (breast & hair) to this disease is so scary. Thanks so much for any stories you share! ~Andrea
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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited September 2012

    Hi Andrea and welcome!

    The Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After forum is a great place to ask these questions, and to hear stories from other women going through Chemo right now. There's even a September 2012 Chemo thread where you can meet others who are going through chemo the same time you are and you can exchange tips and experiences. (And an October 2012 Chemo thread has just been started :) There's even a sticky post with lots of great threads for chemo newbies.

    In addition, you can read up on what to expect with chemo on the main Breastcancer.org site in the Chemotherapy section, including info on managing side effects, how chemo works, and research news on chemotherapy.

    Hope this helps and good luck!

    --The Mods

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  • mdg
    mdg Member Posts: 3,571
    edited September 2012

    I had taxotere and cytoxan for 4 cycles.  On the chemo days I was a bit tired from the benedryl in my premeds.  I felt Ok other than that.  I was fine for the day or two after chemo.  I was most tired on days 3-5 after chemo.  I was a little sore and tired but it was not too bad.  I still exercised through all of chemo 5 days a week.  I drank tons of water.  I can't comment on hair as I used cold caps and was able to keep my hair through chemo.  I am sure if you post that question on the chemo board, you will get lots of responses.  Good luck!  Be well...

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  • doubleAA
    doubleAA Member Posts: 37
    edited September 2012

    Hi! I had TC for four cycles. As the moderators pointed out, there is a ton of info. Make sure to read the getting thru chemo and shopping tips. I sucked on lemon drops while they were flushing my port and never got that bad taste thing. The actual treatment is easy, you shouldn't feel anything. That was one of the biggest surprises for me during this process. I liked getting my treatments in the morning had the rest of the day to do stuff. I also got tired on day three and lasted through day five. On day six I would get the second of my neupogen shots and by that evening was feeling back to myself. I also exercised during chemo, lots of walking everyday and the gym ( my oncologist didn't want me at the gym right after a treatment until my white counts came up but after that it was fine). And water drink tons of water. I drank at least 6-8 glasses of water everyday and always tried for the eight glasses a few days before treatment. I did suck on ice chips during treatment and used biotene and never got dry mouth or a mouth sore. I used chemo days as reading days or watched a movie on my iPad. I had never seen Gone with the Wind and a four hour movie was perfect - actually my treatment was shorter than the movie so needed to,finish it at home - lol

    My one recommendation is Write down all your side effects and tell your doctor about them. They can't help you manage the side effects if they don't know you are having them. After my first treatment I got an awful headache that started on day three and lasted until day five - I remember thinking well this is part of chemo and almost didn't mention it to my doctor. Boy am I glad I did - that was not normal and was actually a reaction to the aloxi I got for nausea in my iv so next time they lowered the amount I got slightly and no headache and no nausea.

    Lastly, eat healthy but after treatment when you start to feel "tired" just eat what your body wants. One treatment cycle all I could eat was chicken soup and one cycle it was egg bagels and cream cheese. It amazed me that once I started feeling better all I wanted was veggies and good things for my body. Good luck with your treatments!,,

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited September 2012

    The first day for me took a long time. They run every thing inslowly. If you arenervous take something for anxiety or just bring them with you. Bring your big favorite water jug. I had big 30 oz bottle. I drank three of them a day.



    You might feel like cleaning whole house when you get home. The steroids made me feel wired. Felt like i had drunk a lot of coffee

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  • alcb70
    alcb70 Member Posts: 166
    edited September 2012
    Thank you all so much for the information! Moderators, I saw the thread for chemo right after I placed this! Smile I appreciate all of your time!! I feel a little better when I know what to expect!  Have a wonderful Monday everyone! ~Andrea
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  • Pbrain
    Pbrain Member Posts: 863
    edited October 2012

    Wow Fredntan, I sure hope I feel like cleaning my whole house!  I haven't done a thing since my diagnosis 2 weeks ago, and I'm starting look like a hoarder!!  Har!

    Alcb, you have my exact chemo regimen.  I won't start until right before Thanksgiving, but my boss had almost my exact diagnosis and same chemo, so she gave me some thoughts yesterday (and she celebrates 5 years cancer-free next month Cool ).  First she said that the anti-emetic that they gave her for nausea made her feel strange.  She said that goes away in a bit, so don't get freaked.  I guess it can make you a little dizzy.  

    She told me the first treatment is long from a time perspective.  They give you a giant dose of the Herceptin, 750 mls (the size of a wine bottle) and then they start the chemo.  If you are prone to getting cold like I am, take a warm, comfy blanket.  If you can tolerate the Benadryl (my boss couldn't--it made her hyper), you will likely just snooze through most of it.  She said nothing hurts at all, and it was actually kind of a peaceful experience.  

    She got sick around day 3 each time, but was fine by day 5.  She didn't throw up, just lots of the big D going on.  She had dry mouth and used the spray.  And she said all food tasted salty.  So like Double AA said, eat what you like and really make sure you eat.  You'll need it. I've told myself if it is only grilled cheese and ice cream, so be it.  Oh and hair falls out after treatment 2.  Her husband shaved her head for her.

    Please keep us posted.  I want to know how things go for you and your experiences.   I took a tour of my future chemo facility last week and it looks like people are very comfortable and most of them were sleeping or watching TV with headphones.

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  • alcb70
    alcb70 Member Posts: 166
    edited October 2012

    Hi Pbrain! (cute ID)  I started my chemo a couple of Wednesdays ago & have done ok.  I got through the 1st "big" chemo with only feeling bad after getting my Neulasta shot. I was down & out (fatigue and some nausea) from days 3-5.  My Herceptin days are ok...just a little headache and fatigue (although I'm having some nausea tonight).  I am very sensitive to salty things. Sometimes I crave it and sometimes it's too overpowering.  I buzzed my hair as my MO said it would come out on day 15 (today was day 14, and nothing yet).  Getting by ok. Next Wed will be round 2, so we'll see if anything is cummulative. I am part of an October chemo group...as we get closer to Nov., I'm sure a group will start for that month as well. This way you journey right along with others.  I think the anticipation is the worst. Now that I've gone....it's ok & just what I do every week. :)

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  • JustJude
    JustJude Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2012

    I am a HUGE baby, pansy, all terms that relate to being afraid! The ACTUAL treatment, sitting in the chair, is non-eventful. Think of it as GOOD STUFF being put in you to make you be "normal" again! I know that it has not been NORMAL since your diagnosis! You begin to wonder what NORMAL was?

    The MOST important thing that I can tell you is BE PATIENT. It's harder than ever to be patient right now - but it WILL make things go so much better for you! Try not to think about ANYTHING but today!

    I was not prepared enough for the hair loss! I did take CONTROL of it though. I cut my waist length hair in a short pixie after my first chemo treatment - so that at least I was in CONTROL of that part! When I noticed that there was a little hair flying around in the car with the windows down - I had my hairdresser buzz it all off. I WAS going to be in control of that one! I rocked the "Bruce Wills" look! I was not prepared for how COLD my noggin was - this was during the WEEKS of 100+ degree temps in St. Louis this summer! Air conditioning, ceiling fans, etc. ALL made me cold! Get a soft cotton cap like babies wear! I even slept in mine! Keep that noggin warm!

    The anti-nausea drugs will be your new best friends! I am a "puke phobe" and I took all of the ones that they gave me during the day and I tood Ativan at night - love that it worked so well! My doc started giving me Ativan thru my IV at the end of my chemo treatments! I had a driver/chemo buddy there with me each time! I would walk to to car chanting A-TI-VAN, A-TI-VAN! It helped me immensely! I never threw up - ever! Take the drugs that they give you ALL THE TIME even before you get sick, and you won't ever be sick! I was more terrified of the puking than I was of losing my hair!

    I'm done with chemo, done with lumpectomy & halfway thru radiation now. LIFE IS GOOD!

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