Starting Chemo October 2012

Well, the Decadron steroid hasn't really had any sideffects thank god. I'm not "nuttier than squirrel crap." Lol. I did notice I'm breathing heavier and more but nothing bad. Tomorrow I sit in the BGC. A little nervous. Ok A LOT!!! They said they have drinks and snacks there but I'm bringing a little something because I will be there from 1030 till whenever (they said about 4 hours). Bringing a laptop and snacks. Anything else I should bring? I know I'm getting pre meds but I asked if I get Benadryl and she said no. I only asked because I needed to know if I could drive home. However, I'm taking a Xanax before I go and possibly more while I'm there so I won't be driving.



Love to all.

halfcan did they tell you what to expect tomorrow for the port insertion? Let us know how it went.

Hi everyone! I was trying to read through and catch up on everyone. Seems like everyone is moving forward quickly!  I ran all day yesterday & spent most of last night cooking ahead. I was anticipating hitting the wall...and I did.   So, the port insertion went well. I went in, got an IV started, spoke to my surgeon and the anesthesiologist.  I had awesome nurses, and the CRNA offered something for my nerves (I wasn't nervous about the port...but the chemo that followed), and I gladly accepted.  Soon, they came in and gave me versed (the "I don't care " medicine), I scooched onto the OR table and that's the last thing I remember.  When I woke up I was a little sore but mostly numb. I was discharged and went right over to the cancer center. I got into the most comfy chair I have ever sat in!  My port was still accessed, so they just taped it down and started some fluids. They gave me my pre-meds of aloxi, emend, decadron, and zantac. After about 20 minutes of letting that take effect, they started my Taxotere. After about 5 minutes I was out! I was still sleepy from the anesthesia and the comfy chair and warm blanket they gave just did me in! haha Then came the Carboplatin, and then the Herceptin.  I was up and down to the bathroom constantly because of all the fluids and I made sure I drank a lot the day before. This was really helpful for starting my IV pre-op (I'm usually a bad stick). I had nothing as far as side effects except a dull headache and some reflux.  Yesterday I had some queasy moments and I took a little zofran.  I tried to drink a lot and I did ok. I got my neulasta shot yesterday afternoon, and then came home and cooked like 3 meals ahead for my "bad days" (they said days 3-5 would be the roughest).  I got up this morning and I definitely feel like I have the flu.  Very achey, especially in my upper back and neck.  My port site is still sore and it feels like it's in the muscle.  A friend who has MS said that my port will be sore for about a week and it will hurt more b/c I used it right away.  I have taken tylenol, and have been in bed most of the morning.  This is the time I am grateful I don't have to work.  I can't imagine trying to work feeling like this.  It's not aweful, just icky. No nausea thank goodness!  Strange thing is my ears hurt...like I have an earache.  I know they said to let them know if I have any ringing/buzzing in my ears, and I don't....so strange.  Oh, also, I haven't had any taste changes except maybe a little dulling of taste, and my tongue was a little numb and tingly for a while yesterday. So, that's where I'm at.  I hope everyone is well. I have a hard time concentrating when I don't feel well....so I apologize for not commenting on things individually. I will catch up with that soon.  If this is the worst of it....it's very doable.  Keeping my fingers crossed it is!   Keep well ladies!  Oh, I also signed up for the Look Good/Feel Better program, and I go this coming Tuesday.  I'll fill you in on that as well. Looking forward to getting lessons on drawing on eyebrows (although I could ask my mother in law hehe), and working with wigs and scarves. I'm learning to reach out an take advantage of all the programs I can to learn and get support.  My hope is that I won't have to lean on my family as much if I do this. I have wonderful friends in Raleigh that are texting and sending me messages of support. I miss my girlfriends so much!  Have a wonderful day! I hope everyone is well!  ~Andrea 

Hi everyone,

I too read through to get caught up but I am the first to admit that names and situations will be something that I will struggle to remember.

A bit about me, I am 44 years old from Atlantic Canada and found my own lump in early June. Had all of the tests that you get for diagnosis with the results of IDC the lump was 4.3 cm and grade 3 with 3 of 5 lymph nodes positive. I am also Triple Negative and carry the BRCA1 gene. I've had two surgeries (mx with sln disection then axln disection) which delayed my treatment a bit.

I had my chemo teaching yesterday and am scheduled to have my chemo (ACT) start on October 1. I will be getting a pic line but it may not be before my first treatment. I will also be getting injections after each of my 8 dose dense treatments.

I am very nervous about the chemo. My husband is a truck driver and won't be with me for my first treatment.

I will definitely be following along and posting experiences through this whole process.

Happy weekend everyone.

Hello everyone,



I will be following silently for a few weeks as I am still recovering from BMX/TE and meet my new oncologist 10/8, (Could start chemo as early as that day according to her staff.) I have a recommended regimen (6 rounds of TC+H) from my trusted docs at the Cleveland Clinic, so if my new onc in Sarasota agrees, then I'll be on par with you guys shortly. Thanks for all the info. Talk to you soon, stay strong.

Mrscich: Good luck, I'll be thinking about you

Poke, my Onc first recommended 6 but said if she could get me through 4 she'd be happy. She said their is currently a study on the 4 vs 6 treatments but the results won't be this year.



So far so good with the first round under my belt. Headache but that's all as of now. I've been up since 330 am (it's 502 here). All the water I've been drinking to flush the chemo out had me up peeing all night.



Hope you ladies have a good weekend.

Hi, just found this site and really enjoyed reading about everyone.  It is comforting, although sad to hear of so many others fighting the same fight.  I was diagnosed 7 months ago and have had a lumpectomy, mastectomy, 4 rounds of chemo and am now on Tamoxifen.  I wanted to comment on the Neulasta.  I took 3 injections and was lucky that my insurance paid for it all but the dispensing fee.  It was brutal, though making my bones and joints ache and giving me severe chills.  After the first one, I talked to my oncologist and he said I could quit if I wanted but when I asked him if the pros outweighted the cons and he said yes, I decided to continue.  I did start taking the injection 3 days after my chemo, instead of the first day after and found that that did make the symptoms less severe.  I am finding now, however, that I am sad a lot of the time.  I know I am lucky to be at the stage that I am at but at times the sadness, anger, frustration and uncertainty are still there.  I was just looking up information on breast reconstruction but it sounds like more surgery and followup and uncertainty than I am willing to take at this time.

Looks like we have quite a group and I too look forward to sharing with you all too.

Halfcan and Sere, thanks for sharing about the port insertions and I will be asking for more of the "I don't care meds." I was just visiting friends as we picked up t-shirts made specially for my group of family and friends doing the Run for the Cure tomorrow and our young nurse Katie friend said there are two different ports besides the PICC line so do you two know which you got?

I will be interested to see if they offer me the Neulasta. 

It is nice to see friends from September surgeries, IDC threads and others I am on!

Marian 

Mrscich: Glad to hear you're doing well so far. I hear it can sneak up on you around days 3-5 so just take it easy



Halfcan: I'll be starting chemo probably sometime this month, I am recovering from my bilateral mastectomies still. Thanks for the port info; since I'm HER2+ I will definitely be asking for or requiring one.



Sere: They may not be able to stage you until they know your node status. You sound a little overwhelmed (as we all are) but we are here for you.



Vivian1: I have been through the first step of reconstruction (I heavily considered not getting any but because of my age all of my doctors practically insisted and I caved in) so if you have questions I can help. I read a lot of threads and info before and during the process, which just started for me one month ago. I have tissue expanders and 100cc right now. No fills yet because I'm taking a recovery time-out vacation in Hawaii. I'll have my exchange surgery after chemo. You can PM me if you'd like but if you have chemo first you may want to take it one step at a time worry-wise

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome.  Who knows, the drugs may have something to do with my sadness, etc. but we are all going through so much or have been through so much that it is hard to know after a while if it's the drugs, chemo or just our reaction to things.  Don't get me wrong, I am not depressed all the time but it hits me at times. 

 I will be interested in following along with those of you having reconstruction.  I am wondering how much time a person needs to take off of work, etc.