Starting Chemo October 2012

Options
1…2223252728…55

Comments

  • 301724
    301724 Member Posts: 478
    edited October 2012

    I've had both my infusions in the big vein in my left elbow. Since I'm only having four treatments, my MO felt this made more sense than a port. Vein looks fine - a little bruising for a couple of days but healed now ( 6 days post infusion #2) . As in everything, we're all different and unfortunately (or fortunately), there's not one right way.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MsTori
    MsTori Member Posts: 402
    edited October 2012

    Jcloford- wow! That's a lot of baking. Let me send you my address! Lol!



    Springwill- welcome. Sorry you have to be here. But you've come to a great place. Everyone is so supportive. This is a place to be yourself. Vent, cry, smile, or laugh.



    Marian- I'm like a kid at Christmas! I can hardly wait for my buffs to arrive!



    Marlene- praying all is okay with little one. :-)



    Noranelly- deep breath and try to relax. We are all here for you.



    Nbnotes- yay on the good blood test results. :-) and sorry about the nausea. They really should be able to control that. Popsicles?



    Schoolmom- I didn't get a general for port. I didn't feel pain either. But you will need a driver. They gave me fentanyl and versed along with a pain reliever. The most I felt was a little sting from the lidocaine (initial injection). But was completely relaxed. In and out in less than 3 hours.



    Loubar- port is awesome. Plus, you only have one arm left for sticks forever. So you want to preserve those veins.



    Sonson- thanks for helping me pass on the info on icing. I've mentioned it so much. But it really does help the mouth.



    *****another bit of info: some have been complaining of NEUROPATHY. I am taking 50-100mg vitamin B6, along with 30g of L-Glutamine (10g three times a day dissolved in a drink), and 1500 mg of Acetyl L-Carnitine. I do this for a week after each chemo. I have had some finger tingling after each treatment, but has resolved a week after tx. The nureopathy is from the taxotere. Of course, get your MO permission. Mine said he had never heard of it and didn't care if I did this or icing. It's worth a shot! ********



    And......Happy Halloween!







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

    LouBar - My MO put me on Nuepogen primarily for the Taxotere chemos #4, 5 and 6 but since my insurance approved it he had me do it for #2 and 3 also on the FEC but my counts were ok on #1 anyway.  He thinks my numbers will possibly pick up sooner and I will feel better for the 3rd week.   My MO also wanted me to have a port from the beginning because again the chemo is so tough on veins.  I find the port easy although same as Poke,  I did discover this morning that I still have a stitch that did not dissolve and is hanging out.  I thought it was a scab.   Going to have to deal with that one I guess. I have read that the Taxotere can destroy your veins so I was more than happy to have the port.  I haven't had them use it for a blood draw though because it does require a special tech and that just takes longer to get things done.        

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CelineFlower
    CelineFlower Member Posts: 875
    edited October 2012

    ok maybe this is a stupid question... but if the chemicals ruin the veins...and our ports are connected to the jugglar ... then ummm... does it ruin that vein?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Poke
    Poke Member Posts: 225
    edited October 2012

    I am just guessing but I think our central veins are much tougher than our peripheral ones ... maybe the nurses have a better answer.

    I'm with halfcan on the blood draws, it just takes longer so I have them poke my arm. Easy, painless.

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

    loubar, no issues for you with Canadian health care! It may be that they have not mentioned a port because you are young with good veins but we all pretty much have only the one arm. I think most of us Canadians have a Bard PowerPort which is imbedded in the chest thus no issues with swimming and getting it wet. I had a couple of surgeries a few years ago and asked for one but no, instead they completely blew my veins so both arms no good to start with pre lumpectomy and SNB! Depending on the drug, (doxirubicin is the bad one if it leaks into vein) you may be fine and also how many cycles?

    As for Neupogen, I get it because I am having dose dense chemo to get it in in two week cycles. BTW, you and I have almost identical path!

    I had a crummy first night after chemo yesterday but not as bad as Cycle #1 and though I spent most of the day in bed, I just got back from my 5 k walk in the rain. Now ready for trick or treaters!

    SmileMarian

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

    MsTori - The nausea is much much better this time than last when I let it get ahead of me, and today has actually been pretty good with just a little nausea though I'm still being careful w/ food.  They did give me a cocktail of 3 drugs to attack the nausea from all sides, but they say my previous stomach/intestine issues make me more prone to nausea.   I can handle nausea as long as I'm not actually getting sick because I had a reflux surgery(nissen fundoplication) 12 years ago. That surgery made it  where throwing up is not supposed to happen at all, but it has a few times with high fever or food poisoning. Unfortunately, it results in tearing up that previous surgery and is incredible painful.  As long as it is never getting to that point, I am a happy girl.  But, tonight I actually ate what could be considered a meal with no nausea at all so for day 2 that makes me pretty ecstatic.   (Sorry for the too much info).

    In other news, apparently skin problems and I are going to be a constant through my chemo sessions.  The MO questioned yesterday whether it was just staph or possibly cellulitis that delayed me a week, but she went ahead and gave me a levaquin script just in case it popped again.  Good thing she did b/c today I had pink on my upper abdomen but not really on the chest itself.  When I went in for the neulasta shot, I was told to go ahead and start takint it.  I'm wondering if I'm just a carrier of something skinwise and am going to need antibiotics all along this journey to keep it at bay.  

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

    nbnotes, hope that that nausea stays under control and also good news on the "0!"

    Halfcan, glad to hear your numbers were OK but hope that indeed the 3rd week your energy etc. picks up.

    mstori, I got a baby alpaca knitted hat in the mail from a friend today and it is so soft that no itching. I also got a little pillow made by a US Cancer group with Hope with the pink BC logo on it from a friend in Texas. Another silver lining - feels like Christmas already.

    Poke and Halfcan, my veins are so bad that getting blood out would be almost hopeless. This week they drew the blood for the usual on Monday and just left the little line in for yesterday's chemo - so only one poke through the port. Poke, is this why you used Poke (every time I use the word I think of you!)?

    loubar, the line goes in through the jugular but then is threaded into the veinous system, so no to damage.

    While I was in bed most of the day I finally did another blog post:

    http://breastcancereh.blogspot.ca

    SmileMarian

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • schoolmom
    schoolmom Member Posts: 458
    edited November 2012

    Did the preop today.  Meeting with the surgeon tomorrow and going to ask about local or twilight drugs for port on Friday.  I have already done general 3 times this summer and want to try local...will let you know.

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

    I was supposed to start chemo this month but never did. I had to have revision surgery done on the left breast that was radiated three years ago. It just didn't want to heal. Maybe next month.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MsTori
    MsTori Member Posts: 402
    edited November 2012

    Wow! Busy board!



    Schoolmom- conscious sedation worked great for me! No worries.



    Celine- In regard to the veins and ports/catheters. Yes, over time, and I mean a long time, in some there can be some sclerosing of the vein. But usually not a problem in most. Mostly the issues are over time with poor diet, diabetes ect that destroys veins and arteries. With my dialysis patients, the main concern was infection. Make sure your nurses uses proper access technique, especially if you have a PICC or external catheter. This goes to your heart and can give you sepsis (bad bacterial blood infection). Ports, not so much, but I still request a mask on both of us and sterile technique when accessing and discontinue.



    Nb notes- so glad nausea is getting better. :-) and you can enjoy a meal. I sure pray that you don't need antibx each time. Not nice to the system. But better than the alternative.



    Marian- alpaca.....ahhhhh, so soft. Sounds heavenly. My scalp is just so tender. I got a nice cap on sale today and its soft enough. My aunt knits, so maybe I can get some alpaca yarn and ask if she can knit me one. :-)



    Veggy- welcome, sorry you have to be here. But it's a great group and even if you don't start this month, your more than welcome here. Ask, vent, laugh, cry and whine here... we all do.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LouBar
    LouBar Member Posts: 84
    edited November 2012

    Marian - thanks for the information.  It is interesting given our very similar diagnosis that our chemos are different, mine is 6 cycles.  I was really pleased at how fast things moved forward for me here in Ontario and feeling grateful for our medical system.  Consequently, I have been putting my faith in the respective expertise of the medical professionals regarding my care and treatment.  But it does create lots of questions when considering the differences between our respective chemotherapy experiences and I'll be sure to ask my MO those questions tomorrow.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CelineFlower
    CelineFlower Member Posts: 875
    edited November 2012

    Ty MissTori

    yes they did  use masks and create a sterile enviroment when they used it the first time (same day i got it)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MsTori
    MsTori Member Posts: 402
    edited November 2012

    Celine- awesome! Just make sure they continue to do it. That line goes directly to your heart. Some nurses get lazy, and cut corners or say, it doesn't matter. It matters. Also, always check your IV medicine bags, that they have your name on it and the right medicine. Sorry, but as a nurse, I have seen a lot of nurses screw up. Not knocking nurses, a lot of them are overworked and always running behind. We are our own best advocates.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Inittogether
    Inittogether Member Posts: 3
    edited November 2012

    Good evening ladies~

    I am trying to help my mom with deciding on a chemo plan.  We went to the oncologist yesterday and the recommended treatment was Adriamycin/Cytoxan for 4 cycles every 21 days.  Then Taxol once a week for 12 weeks.  My mom is a stage IIa, 1.5 cm, grade 3, ER+ PR+ and HER-.  I am concerned that the 12 week of Taxol seems excessive.  Any thoughts? 

    Thank you for any insight!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Marlene18
    Marlene18 Member Posts: 91
    edited November 2012

    Innittogether - That treatment regimen is pretty standard from what I've seen. I am on almost the same except my Taxol is 4 doses three weeks apart each. I've seen others with the weekly dose though, it probably works out about the same?

    MsTori - My scalp is itchy and quite tender too. It feels like I just need to yank out all the remaining stubble. I find I don't mind having no hair, what I find stressful is trying to hide the fact that I have no hair... (Ultrasound today showed that baby is right-sized - OB actually said the external measurement was off because my abs are so strong! I guess they're holding her in tight?)

    I did nothing Halloween-y except listen to all the fireworks in my neighbourhood tonight. My new couch arrived today though - Happy Halloween!

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

    Loubar, though are path is similar, your tumour was 2 cm, mine over 3, yours is grade 3 while mine is 2.  Mine is considered fast growing and agressive thus the difference possibly too. I have having 4 cycle of A/C then 4 cycles of Taxol and dose dense so every two weeks, again I think because of the aggressivness.

    I see a lot of women get the Taxotere or Taxol weekly times 12 -your mom for instance initotgether.

    Veggy, I know that someone has started a November chemo site so it may be up and running already.

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

    marlene, did not see your post until mine went. Great news about baby!

    mstori, our chemo room is amazingly strict - I get asked my name and birthdate every few minutes it seems like. We got told at chemo teach that if it bugs us to say that birthdate, get over it!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Marlene18
    Marlene18 Member Posts: 91
    edited November 2012

    Marian - same here, feels like I'm repeatedly muttering my birthdate...! I hope you're feeling better after round 2. I'm getting psyched for round 2 on Monday - apparently it's not unusual for pregnant women to have an easier time with chemo (because of increased blood volume?) so I'm pretty sure my blood counts are going to be just fine when they check on Friday and that's without the WBC booster. As long as fewer SEs doesn't translate to lessened efficacy, I'm okay with it!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Traii
    Traii Member Posts: 1,138
    edited November 2012

    I had my first round of taxatere yesterday and don't feel all that bad today (even went out shopping with my mum and almost 3 year old son) today.

    I'm sure its still the steroids thats keeping me going.....lol I do have that metallic taste in my mouth though, blah...... Its like the taste I was getting every now and then throughout my pregnancy.

    2 more rounds of Taxatere then start my 3 rounds of CMF .

    I met some lovely ladies also doing same treatment as me yesterday so we all got talking...a lot older than me but felt a lot better with some of there well being stories....one lady who was there had finished her treatment and now supporting her sister that has a different type of cancer......she has kept my spirits up and hope to see her there in 3 weeks time , it makes the session go faster.

    Hope you are all feeling well today ladies.

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

    Good morning ladies! Holy cow....I cannot keep up with all the posts! :) It's great to see everyone sharing, I apologize that I'm terrible about keeping up and commenting specifically. I enjoy reading what everyone writes.

    Poke- how much longer do you have to deal with that stitch?  I feel bad about those expanders...it makes me not look forward to them.  I will discuss my timeline for surgery with my MO tomorrow.  Next step in the journey. :( I saw someone else has one also (SO sorry I cannot remember who....can barely remember what I ate for lunch yesterday).  It isn't aweful, but extremely annoying! Not positive that's what mine is yet (there isn't anything sticking out), but it sure feels like it. I hope you both get yours removed soon so it's one less thing stcking you. LOL

    As for the veins....it helps to have the port b/c it empties right above your heart so the medication is diluted quickly in the blood volume of the heart. Also, beside the meds being hard on your veins, just being poked in the same spot so many times will toughen the vein and cause scar tissue. I dreaded starting an IV on my oncology patients....it was so difficult.  Someone also mentioned trouble getting their port accessed by an LPN.  First of all--ouch! I can imagine it was not nice coming out, but it's funny the rules for each state. In NC only RN's are allowed to access or push meds through ports or central lines (in general). I agree with Tori...be sure the nurses are as sterile as possible with their technique. Another unfortunate thing to think about is that many healthcare professionals are colonized with MRSA (just b/c of their exposure). You want to keep that as far away from you as possible! :)

    I am seeing my MO Friday and will ask about the B vitamins. They are great for neuropathy (I have it in my L foot from spinal stenosis & my PCP recommended it).  He may also adjust my dose (I just hope it doesn't stretch out my treatments). 

    Well, time to get ready for my BS visit & grocery shopping. It's time again to start cooking ahead & freezing for next week. Treatment #3 coming up Wed & I'll be half-way done! Wooohooo!! I hope everyone had fun with their trick-or-treaters last night! We had SO many cute little ones.....reminds me when my girls were that age. They grow SO fast! Have a wonderful day! ~Andrea

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MsTori
    MsTori Member Posts: 402
    edited November 2012

    Marlene- awesome- so glad you and baby are doing well through this. Strong abs are good. :-) I feel ya about the hair stubble! Urg! I lean over the sink and gently sweep some away morning and night. It is tender. Feels like needles at times with a cap on.

    Oddly, the front is hanging in there, it's the back and sides shedding the most! And yay on the couch! I went out and did to much retail therapy yesterday getting some winter clothes. Lol! But got some really cute sweaters and pants. Even a couple pairs of shoes. :-)



    Marian- lol! Sounds a little like military boot camp. Next time give them your birthday and throw is a yes sir or yes ma'am" haha! But yes, necessary for safety. Same at my clinic.



    Alcb- spot on, same here, RN only pushes meds here in Florida. Not sure about the access of port. In dialysis, our LPN's can access the dialysis lines and run treatments. Varies so much state to state. Yes! Check into the B6 specific for neuropathy. Also see my post earlier this page or previous. In addition to B vitamin. I did this starting day of and for 1 week only after last chemo. Neuropathy not bad at all! I can't take credit for it. I was told by a veteran and my Mo agreed it would be okay. Also starting the magnesium oxide today to ward off constipation. It's a gentle laxative.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Poke
    Poke Member Posts: 225
    edited November 2012

    I don't think I was clear about my stitch - it's completely under the skin. It doesn't stick out. But it pushes my skin out from underneath and I can poke it which is just weird. It's like a little monster under my skin. So it won't come out until my exchange :) I can't keep up with these posts, either! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Poke
    Poke Member Posts: 225
    edited November 2012

    Marlene - Happy to hear your baby is doing well!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MsTori
    MsTori Member Posts: 402
    edited November 2012

    Poke- I have about 4 of them on my abdominal incision. And my surgery was 3 months ago. They were supposed to absorb! Ug! But it feels like a needle trying to poke out from the inside. I see my PS next month and will ask if he can do anything. Otherwise, if it does start to poke through, my PS said I could grab it with tweezers and cut it off. But with chemo, I don't want to risk any infection. Anyway, thought I'd share.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sonson
    sonson Member Posts: 162
    edited November 2012

    I can't keep up with all the posts on here!  You guys are so fast!  Ms Tori I'm glad I can help anyone out with the idea of eating ice chips!  It has really saved my mouth.  I'm convinced of it.  I just hope is saves others the same problems.  I freeze to death as I do it, but it's sure worth it.

    So my oncologist said something about stopping at number four chemo treatment yesterday.  I was afraid to ask why because then I thought he would change his mind and I didn't want him to change his mind.  Should I ask why?  Or should I just thank my lucky stars that maybe the next one will be my last one?  I'm afraid to get excited about it.  I'm also afraid to tell anyone.  My DH knows because he was with me when the ONC said it and I just put my hand on his knee and changed the subject really fast.  It was like I didn't want to discuss it at all.  I didn't want to think that he said that number four would be the last because I couldn't be that lucky.  So I started going through all the reasons in my head for why he may stop at number four.  I was going to be in a clinical trial for Herceptin even though I was HER2 negative.  They wanted to see if HER2 negative patients were given Herceptin for a year if it was beneficial, but you had to have a HER2 score of 1 or 2...which still made you in the negative range but you had to have a number.  I had no number whatsoever so I did not qualify for the clinical trial.  And we all know that having a HER2 positive score makes your cancer more aggressive so maybe mine isn't aggressive...I know I need to not second guess it and just ask him.  I'm so terrified to ask him and then he changes his mind and makes me do six when I so don't want to do six.  And I've not told anyone other than my mother that he said we were stopping at four because I don't want to jinx it.  Okay so I've told you guys...but telling you guys it's like it's still anonymous you know?  And then what if he changes his mind?  Yeah, I still don't know if I should be excited or not.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MsTori
    MsTori Member Posts: 402
    edited November 2012

    Sonson- right?! I'm like an ice cube for an hour and a half. Between my toes, fingers and mouth. But so worth it. My taste buds and all were not bad this last go around! A little heat on my soles of my feet, and fingers were a little weird feeling, but after a week, recovered and nothing else. Yay!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MsTori
    MsTori Member Posts: 402
    edited November 2012

    Sonson- you have some positive lymph nodes, and if it were me, I would hate to ask to (I'm the same way, change subject fast and move on), but I think it's important to know why. And he should have told you, even if you didn't ask. Perhaps it could be because your grade 1?? But I'm not an Onc, so, ask him. You don't want to look back years from now. Just my 2 cents. ;-)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CelineFlower
    CelineFlower Member Posts: 875
    edited November 2012

    all these posts... shows how welcoming it is here... and how good it is to share

    as for hair... 

    my head is NOT shedding!! wtf????

    tho its not growing back very fast... and i have lost pubic hair and armpit hair...

    cant believe 3 weeks ago i was crying about shaving my hair... now im worried its not falling out!!

    i know its not true but it makes me feel like the chemo's not working 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Poke
    Poke Member Posts: 225
    edited November 2012

    Celine - hang in there! Your hair sounds like it's just being stubborn :)

    MsTori - I hope yours don't poke out!!! (Mine doesn't seem like it could.)

    Whoever asked why I'm "poke" - I was like 11 or 12 when the animated "Pocahontas" came out, and although I'm Asian lots of kids starting calling me Pocahontas, or Poke for short. My dad and any friends I still have from back then still call me that. 

    Sonson - I have often wondered why I can't have four, as some people are. I posted about this like a week ago and got some good answers ... I heard there was a study where four was as good as six but got shut down when I brought it up to my MO. I don't know who was pariticpating in that study. Definitely ask. Don't be scared he'll change his mind or that you'll jinx it. What's meant to be should be and you should know why and whatever the outcome accept that it is what is best for you. I know it's easier to say than to do, but that is how I came to terms with needing six when others seem to be done at four. If it turns out you need six just know you are doing everything you can to live a long, happy life. And if you get four, well, your wishes came true!

    Going to see The Script in Orlando tonight, and my hair is coming with me :) Thank you hair for holding on a few more days!! 

    xoxo

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories