Starting Chemo October 2012

Options
halfcan
halfcan Member Posts: 253
edited October 2016 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I am new to posting in the forums and I am looking to find others here to share in the journey in the many months ahead.   My chemo start date is October 4th.  I have my chemo class on Monday, MUGA for next Friday, still awaiting a date for inserting the Port.   It has been a crazy road so far.  I found the lump myself and the mammogram showed nothing.  2 1/2+ cm lump and the test didn't see it.  First time I have ever heard of the term "dense breast tissue".  From there MRI and biopsy happened pretty fast.  Then surgery...over one week later given the news of four cancerous lymph nodes also.  That led to bones scan and CT scan to look for spreading.   Awaiting the results was terrifying.   I am lucky as they didn't find any metastasis in those tests.  Finally saw the oncologist yesterday who informed me of the aggressive nature of my cancer and told me I would be getting blasted with the variety of treatments.  Chemo first in 6 sessions, then radiation and 5 years harmone therapy!   I have been to these forums before to read posts but today I decided it was time to join.   I have read wonderful and informative comments here and I think it will be good to share and make new friends facing similiar obstacles.   

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«134567…55

Comments

  • Goldfinch
    Goldfinch Member Posts: 30
    edited September 2012

    Count me in! I'm not sure when my chemo will start, I'm having my port installed on October 1st so I assume I will start later that week. I had widespread DCIS with small invasive part (2 mm, if I recall correctly). Triple positive. My MO had not yet decided if I would be doing 4 or 6 rounds as of last week, which is the last time I saw him. I will be doing Taxotere, Carboplatin once every 3 weeks, and Herceptin once a week. I had a BMX 3 weeks ago and am recovering quite nicely, so I hope I can start chemo the first week of October. That sounds crazy, wanting to start...but I just want to kill this thing and be done with it.

    I'm scared and confused, but I'm really happy that I'll have a group on here to go through this with.

    Halfcan, what is chemo class? No one has talked to me about doing anything like that. Also, what is MUGA? I see that a lot on this board but don't know what it is or if it is something I'll have to do.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited September 2012

    Hi halfcan -- thanks for starting this thread for all the October folks!

    Just stopping in to provide some more helpful links, starting with the main Breastcancer.org site's section on Chemotherapy, including what to expect, types of chemo meds, and side effect management.

    There are some really helpful key threads here in the Chemo forum too!

    Great tips and practical advice on the following discussion board threads:

    Hope you find this helpful!

    --Your Mods

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sere
    sere Member Posts: 13
    edited September 2012

    I'm getting my port put in next week, so I'm thinking I'll be starting in the first week of October, too. Next week I'm finding out what exactly my MO wants to give me since she was still considering options at our initial consult. I was expecting to do surgery first, so this totally threw me off! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • alcb70
    alcb70 Member Posts: 166
    edited September 2012
    Hi everyone! I will have my port placed Wed. 9/26 & will go straight from there to chemo tx #1 of 6 (TCH). Taxotere and Carboplatin will be every 3 weeks x 18 weeks. Herceptin will be weekly x 18 weeks and then every 3 weeks for a year.  Seems like we'll have a lot in common.  I just moved to Knoxville,TN from Raleigh,NC (actually got my diagnosis the day before we were due to move).  I have only my husband, my youngest daughter and my nephew (we're his guardians) here.  I have absolutely no friends, or even co-workers. I was going to take a month off from work, until we got settled, and then get a job.  This came along and put a huge damper on getting a job. Who's going to hire me with all this mess going on!! :)  I will report back all that I find out or experience.  I hope it helps!  Here we go!!!Yell
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Abby20
    Abby20 Member Posts: 102
    edited September 2012

    Hi..Count me in. I had my port Sep 21 and scheduled for my first session Oct 2nd. I was dx Jule 20, had a lumpectomy, then was trying for emryo freezing but it didn't work out! My hormones level were so high and 2 fertility clinic refused to treat me. I am 36 years old and have 9 month old baby. I still can't understand how my FSH hormone jumped from below 10 to 25.8 in less than 2yrs. But anyhow, we decided to move the chemo forward and keep the embryo thing aside for now.  The recovery from the port surgery wasn't bad, I was of course instructed not to carry my 25lb baby which was the most difficult part other than this all went well. Good luck to all of you - us :) 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MrsCich
    MrsCich Member Posts: 409
    edited September 2012

    Hi all! I do not get a port, my Onc says I can get an IV for chemo.  Not sure of my start date, have to call today to set up my chemo class.  I was diagnoses Aug 20 and had my DMX with TE placement on Aug 31.  I am getting Taxotere and Cytoxan with 10 years of hormone therapy...Tamoxafen and I can't remember the other one.  Ugh, not looking forward to any of this.  The surgery wasn't bad but the TE's are so uncomfortable. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MrsCich
    MrsCich Member Posts: 409
    edited September 2012

    Abby, sorry to hear you can't carry that sweet baby.  Im 33 y/o and have 4 kids (15, 13, 7 and 4), 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MrsCich
    MrsCich Member Posts: 409
    edited September 2012
    So I go to my chemo class this afternoon and may start TC this week.  Frown  Not something I'm looking forward to but I want to start it as soon as possible so I can get it over with. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Goldfinch
    Goldfinch Member Posts: 30
    edited September 2012

    MrsCich- I'm 33 too! I have one daughter, a 4 year old. We were considering another one before my diagnosis...but obviously that's no longer in the cards for us. :( I'll be doing tamoxifen for 5 years after chemo and herceptin.

    I heard today that I will receive my first treatment on October 5th. My MO has still not finalized my treatment plan, but it will be done by then. I will first meet with a PA, then a nurse will do a "teaching session" with me, and then the actual infusion. It sounds like I'll be there most of the day!

    Are any of the rest of you planning on working through treatment? How are you preparing for that?

    Alcb70, good luck on port installation on Wednesday!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 301724
    301724 Member Posts: 478
    edited September 2012

    Hi all,

    Joining your group. I was dx with routine mammogram on June 19. Opted for BMX and DIEP on Aug. 16. In spite of clear nodes, stage 1a, and ER+, Oncotype DX score indicates 'moderately high' risk of recurrence so will have 4 cycles of taxotere and cytoxan (every 3 weeks so no port) starting Oct. 4 followed by 5 years of AI. Will be using cold caps to try to save my hair. Originally scheduled to start in mid-Sept. but have had DVT and problems with getting anticoagulation just right. Just spent another week in the hospital for IV antibiotics for infected hematoma in one of my reconstructed breasts. Aargh! Looking forward to moving forward!

     Good luck to all!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited September 2012

    Thanks for replying to my initial post ladies.  Smile   I look forward to checking back here often to see how everyone is doing through this process.   Went to my chemo class yesterday and it was ok.  Knew most of the info from reading so many handouts but I did meet a couple women who will be starting chemo about the same time.   I have yet to be given a surgery date for the port, but I understand it could be right up to my first session of chemo on Oct. 4.

    My biggest issue right now is the oncologist wants to give me Neulasta or Filgrastrim if insurance won't approve it.  Either drug...the cost is outrageous!  Yikes!  I understand it helps fight off infections so I know that is a good thing and need to do it.

    I find myself wanting to eat all my favorites foods now as I have heard to stay away from them over the treatment period.  And, working on coming to terms with the hair loss.  Planning on having my partner cut it super short and having some fun with it about a week before it should start falling out.  It will be easier I think to accept if I take the initiative rather than finding it all over my pillow in the morning. OK, enough rambling for now!

    Thanks for listening!   Good luck ladies....one day at a time....we can do this together! Wink   

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited September 2012

    GOLDFINCH:  

    Chemo class was a 2 hour information clinic to give us lots of intel on what to expect down the road.  They gave us plenty of brochures to read for anything needing dealt with, from foods and techniques to control nausea, to financial issues.  Then they took us on a tour of the chemo room to see where we would be getting our treatments.  From there to a wig and hat room where we can select a wig for free and even have it cut and styled right there should we wish.

    A MUGA is a noninvasive nuclear test on the heart where it receives a small amount of radiation so they can see it pump.   The outflow of blood is measured when it pumps and is what they are interested in from what I understand.  It is done to make sure your heart can withstand the rigors of all the drugs and used as a baseline for future testing.  Some drugs are very hard on your heart! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MrsCich
    MrsCich Member Posts: 409
    edited September 2012

    301724, what was your Onco score?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited September 2012

    Waving hello to you girls:-)



    I startedmychemo last oct. It wasnt as bad as i thought.

    Wasscared to death just like youll probably are. Cried when i first went into the chemo room.



    Dont look at the whole picture, just look at one chemo at a time.



    Constipation was my worst enemy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • alcb70
    alcb70 Member Posts: 166
    edited September 2012

    Hi guys~ I'm terrible at commenting on everything...I can imagine it'll get worse with chemo brain! LOL

     MrsCich--I'm surpried they're not doing a port! I would imagine this is going to be rough on your veins.  I would seriously speak to them about what to expect (how it may feel) and what the long term consequences are.

    Goldfinch-- Thanks for the positive thoughts! Gonna go and take a nice long hot bath to relax (last one I'll get for a while - til my port site heals). You asked about working...unfortunately, I was looking at being off about a month while we got settled in here and closed on our house...then this came up. No one will hire me now, and since I'm a nurse, it wouldn't be too bright to expose myself to the germs.  It'll make things REALLY tight with all the money going out on this! I spent almost $150 on wigs (and all the specialty stuff you need for it) and hats!

    Halfcan--It's great that you get a wig with your class!!  They're really expensive! I ordered mine through tlcdirect (which is through the American Cancer Society)--MUCH cheaper. I checked in with a hair salon about them shaving my hair off. I can't imagine my husband doing it.  I'm not a vain person, but it's because I'm so self-conscious. Besides, I feel like it would make my husband feel worse to know that he had a part in it (not that it wouldn't come out anyway). :( As to the Neulasta--in the US, you can contact the company that makes it & they offer a patient assistance if you qualify. Not sure about BC.  I also know what you mean about eating...I've been told the same.  I had a steak for lunch today! :) LOL  If you don't mind my asking...I notice you're HER2+, grade 3, and 4cm like me with a high grade....but you only have a unilateral mastectomy....what made you decide to only do your affected side?  I ask because I haven't had surgery yet, they'll talk to me about it ~ 1/2 way through chemo, but I was planning a bilateral mastectomy b/c it's so aggressive.

     Fredntan--thanks for being so honest about being emotional that first time. I think the blessing for me tomorrow will be that I will still be so zonked from getting the port.  I will be taking my xanax with me though just in case (and they say I can take it).

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited September 2012

    alcb70-I have been wondering about that myself lately.  Am hoping it doesn't bite me in the butt.  Not a single care provider through this whole thing discussed the idea of a double mast..  I did inquire why they weren't checking it too and all they have done since is a manual exam.   They don't seem concerned.  Didn't know it was highly aggressive till after surgery when the results came back and the surgeon made mention.  Are you doing chemo before surgery?  Because I am positive everything, it is ...surgery...chemo....rad...and hormone for 5 years...in that order I am told.   Got the call from the hospital this afternoon.  The port insertion is scheduled for this Friday at noon and the MUGA test is 7:30am that same day.  Going to be a very long day I think. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MrsCich
    MrsCich Member Posts: 409
    edited September 2012

    Well it's all moving right along. I start chemo on Friday. I sit in the dreaded BGC at 1030. They are calling in my Zofran and Decadron now for me to start the Decadron tomorrow. Labs today or tomorrow.



    So I guess since they say you start to lose your hair in the first week or so, I should enjoy this weekend and week with my hair (if im not deathly ill from the chemo), huh? Blah!



    I did ask about the IV, pic line, and port for chemo. She said he likes to do IV if she can because its less invasive and when it done, it's out and you don't have to worry about it. She said if I don't like it, she will put in a pic line but none of her patients have any problem with the IV.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,735
    edited September 2012

    Mrscich, certainly moving fast now for you. I get it about the IV route but I have zero veins - it was really hard even to get an IV in for my surgery. They got done in during IV treatments following bowel surgeries in 1998 and 2000 and never recovered. I just had a look at the thread on ports. But what is a PIC line? 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Abby20
    Abby20 Member Posts: 102
    edited September 2012

    MrsCich, glad to know that your first session went well. How do you feel right now? Hope all is well..

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MrsCich
    MrsCich Member Posts: 409
    edited September 2012

    Abby, I don't get it until Friday. I will be sure to let you know how it goes.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Abby20
    Abby20 Member Posts: 102
    edited September 2012

    Oh ok mine in Tuesday .. I am anxious but just want to have it done !

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,735
    edited September 2012

    I just found this thread this morning.

    Halfcan, I see that you are also from British Columbia and as you can see, I am from Vancouver. Your dx and pathology sound similar to mine though you had your surgery a week before me. But then you got results in just over a week while mine took 17 days. I just saw my BS for the results on Monday and she said she is expediting my case. I had 6/8 nodes positive and this from what was a SNB but she saw right away in the axilla that there were some nodes that did not look good thus the 8. Margins not good, extensive lyphovascular invasion, yada yada... So I see the MO on Monday and have a bone scan tomorrow and am waiting for an appt. for a abdominal CT scan.

    So where are you located. I am curious since you have already done so many things and now will get your port on Friday along with the MUGA. Was there mention of a PIC line which I saw today on another thread? I have no veins to speak of so will need a port of some sort. I am so sick of the waiting game thus looked at all your posts to see how fast this has gone for you. I have my bone scan tomorrow at St. Paul's and am waiting for an appt. for an abdominal CT scan at Mt. St. Joseph's.

    I had a lumpectomy BTW and now will likely have to have a mastectomy following chemo due to the invasions and agressiveness. BS did say chemo now as no time for surgery - i.e. there is cancer is there!  Oh and what is this about Neulasta or Filgrastrim? I know nothing about what is covered and what is not! We have MSP but nothing extended. We do have private insurance from the company my husband worked for in Saudi Arabia and it pays 50% of prescriptions so maybe this will come into play. Do you know whether any of the meds we get for nausea etc. are covered or is this also on us? 

    I have so many questions so if there is anything you can answer or let me know to expect includng of course whether you are also in Vancouver or another city in the province.

    If you would consider a phone call, please send me a private message.

    CoolMarian 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2012

    Hello! I just found this thread and wanted to join in if that's okay.  I was supposed to start my chemo (AC then T) yesterday, but due to a slight skin infection/sinus infection it was initially put off. Then at the appointment yesterday, I found out that it appears to have gone to my liver so now chemo is waiting until a liver biopsy is completed.  I have a consult about that on Friday and hopefully will have the biopsy next week and start chemo the following week.  If it is in liver, then we will actually just do the AC but for a couple of extra cycles.   I was freaked out about the chemo, but now I'm freaked out more about the implications of it being in the liver.  I would definitely like to be able to read how others are doing with their chemo and to support each other as we go through this crazy stuff.  

     Nancy 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited September 2012

    Marian --- Sorry, it has been a crazy day.  I will be back here in the AM and try to answer some of your questions.  :-)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Goldfinch
    Goldfinch Member Posts: 30
    edited September 2012

    Nbnotes- yikes, that is scary! I hope you find that it has NOT gone to your liver!

    Halfcan- thank you for explaining the chemo class and MUGA. I've already received a folder with tons of information, and then at my first session they'll go over some more stuff with me. The cancer resource center with all the wigs, books, services, etc is right across the hall in my medical building- they know I've already been over there. I do wonder why I'm not having a MUGA test?

    Maybe it has something to do with the chemo we each use? I've noticed several of you listing drugs that I'm not using. I'm on the TCH program- Taxotere, Carboplatin, and herceptin.

    MrsCich, I will be thinking of you and sending well wishes on Friday!! I hope it goes well.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • alcb70
    alcb70 Member Posts: 166
    edited September 2012

    I have typed this response about 4 times now and my computer has ditched it each time! So super quick....... had port placed, first big chemo done, and have neulasta shot tomorrow. Only a slight headache and reflux!!! :) Port site is very uncomfortable...but worth it b/c I usually smell and taste EVERYTHING put in my IV (even saline flushes)....didn't happen with my port!  Will give details in am......IF my computer cooperates! So relieved it went well...I slept through most of it.  I know this could be a fluke and I could wake up with a very different story...but I'll take it for now. Unfotunately it is almost 1am though & between the steroids and the sleep in the chair...too awake! :( Will post in the morning, hopefully to help you all feel a little better! :)  ~Andrea

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited September 2012

    MrsCich - Good luck tomorrow with the first round!  We'll be thinking of you.

    Goldfinch  - Not positive but I think the MUGA test is done if you are going to be getting Neulasta shots but don't quote me on that.  :-)

    alcb70 - Sounds like you are off to a great start.  Hope you ride this storm without any trouble.  My port goes in tomorrow.

    Abby20 - Good luck on Tuesday with the start of your chemo.  I'm crossing my fingers that all will go smooth for you.  Hope you come back and let us know how you are doing.  My first is next Thursday and I will be anxious.

    301724 - Looks like we start this chemo ride on the same day.  I'm hoping we both weather it well.

    Marian - I am in Abby.  The Neulasta shots are to build up the WBC in your bone marrow faster to hopefully reduce the risk of infections.  They are super spendy @ $2600+ per injection.  I am lucky as my extended covers all prescriptions with only a $30 copay on my part.  :-)  But....they don't automatically cover it and my Dr. is submitting an authorization request.  Your private insurance is "extended"  I'm not sure what they base having these shots upon...maybe the type of chemo.   The hardest part of all of this has been the waiting for test results for me.  It was 3 weeks after the bone scan and CT that I got the results from my family physician.  And I had to push for that.  I think otherwise it would have waited for the onco to give it to me.  I wanted to know what was happening before the onco appt. because if the news was crappy, I never would have heard a word after that about what laid ahead.  Once I finally got the onco appt on the 20th it seems things are moving pretty fast and I don't feel like I am sitting in the dark waiting.  So, tomorrow MUGA test in AM and Port surgery in the afternoon....then one week from today the long road of chemo begins.

    Unfortunately the nausea meds are on us.  No prescriptions are covered by basic medical.  Have you signed up for Pharmacare?  It is through the Provincial Gov.  and based on income, you will have a deductable for scripts and then a maximum...and after that it is 100%.  Better than nothing if your private medical doesn't work out.   Don't think they are retroactive.  Worth looking into maybe.

    No pic line for me.  A port was recommended from the start and I am good with that.  A pic line would have to be covered in the shower etc...  It hangs off your body and I would probably get it hooked on something and yank it out.  Yikes!

    Hope this answers at least some of your questions. Laughing   

    nbnotes -  Glad you joined this forum but sorry for the circumstances!   This nasty disease likes to scare the bejesus out of us that's for sure.  One day at a time is about all we can do.  Hang in there.

           

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,735
    edited September 2012

    halfcan, thanks for all your info and it does help. I think I knew about paying for precsriptions but nice to have it verified. My husband as we speak, is signing up on line for Pharmacare just in case we would qualify at some point. Our own insurance is through the company my husband worked for in Saudi Arabia and we pay a lot for it but because the company is huge and self insures, there is no question of payment and as I said above, they pay 50% for scripts past a deductible which I am way past anyway as I submit all my physio appts. 

    So who ordered the CT and bone scans that you had to get it from your family physician? Seems strange? In my case on Monday my BS ordered both the scans and the referral to the MO all to be expedited due to the urgency of my case I think. I was told that BCCA would have my test results when I got there Monday. Since I have the abdominal CT scan on Monday AM and MO appt. that afternoon it should be interesting to see it all comes together. But that scan is done at Mt. St. Joseph and that is where my team up to now is including my nurse navigator who called with all the CT info yesterday so I am hopeful they will have it all done and sent!

    How long did you have to wait for the onco appt. once you got your diagnosis? It seems that the waiting game is different for each of us. You got your surgical path really fast while I waited 17 days while you had to wait 3 weeks for the scan reports!

    Sounds like the PIC line was good for some people but the port sounds like what I will get and it sounds manageable. Since there seems to be a sense of urgency here, (maybe due to the extensive lymphovascular invasion and perineural invasion) that is why things are going a little faster. Some days it all seems to be the waiting game but since I get the one scan today and there is the Run for the Cure on Sunday which I am doing with a group of 20 family and friends, I am hoping these next days go fast. Hard to believe I am looking forward to this but I just want to get started demolishing this cancer!

    Meanhwile, I thank you all who are ahead of me for letting us know what to expect and I am thankful too that we have each other for support here. It makes my day every day!

    Smile Marian

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited September 2012

     Marian - My scans were ordered by the surgeon but I don't think the results were going to be given till the onco appt.  I didn't have patience for that so I got them from my family Dr.  This is a general timeline for me so far:

    From surgery to hearing the results - 10 days

    From results to bone scan - 5 days

    bone scan to CT scan - 7 days

    Results for both tests - 2 weeks after CT scan

    Onco appt - 2 weeks after results

    Port - 1 week later

    Chemo - scheduled for 6 days after port

    Congrats on doing the run on Sunday!!!  Such a wonderful cause.  Smile

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,735
    edited September 2012

    halfcan, how were the results? Were they negative? I hope!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories