January 2013 chemo group

Sheryl-

I will now add the term 'awfulizer' into my vernacular! Sometimes it's easier to be one because that way you won't be surprised if things go bad, but relieved when things go great. I tend to do that in stressful times myself.

Hope the next couple days treat you well and you flush the poisons out!



Nikki

Welcome Nikki and good luck on your first treatment. I don't start mine until the 28th but sounds like we are gonna be given the same drugs. Went for my follow up with the surgeon today and she went over the path report. It appears that the one lymphnode I had that was positive had extranodal extension 1.0 mm beyond the lymphnode capsule. Do I need to be more worried now. Does this mean it could've went somewhere else in my body? Thanks, Colleen

Hello, I am a newbe here. I am on my third treatment on Taxol & Herception for my HER2 Breast Cancer. My cancer had spread to my spine but was removed in August 1st, 2012 in which I had 4x chemo every 2weeks then 9x radiation daily in November.  I started Taxol & Herception on December 18, 2012 for 12x once a week with I skiped 14 days (to spend the holiday with my family) and return to Boston on January 3, 2013 to continue my remaining treatments.

Thus far I notice I sleep alot during my treatment only and my finger and toenails are turning black (almost looks like I smashed my fingers and toes in a door). I find this treatment better then my chemo treatment only because I don't get sick anymore only sleep on my treatment day.

If I did TAC in my 1st chemo today, should i be taking anti nausea meds before i go to be even enthough they shot some in m IV this morning.  If so I have the more effective one you take 12 or 19 hrs apart, I'm not sure of the milder for normal nausea tha you can take ever 6 hours?   I don't know if underkill will be too little, or if Overkills is not needed.  I'd lov to find the odds of people who didn't takea any and see how they felt.

I finally have my date! Woohoo! I'm starting Wednesday (Jan. 16) 4 rounds of dose-dense AC followed by 12 weekly Taxol. I guess we'll see if my good humor and ridiculous organization will survive this intact, but I tell you what, Nance, Nikki, and anyone else who starts that day: I'm finding us the best-looking bartender in town, and the drinks are on me.  

MandyNJ, I'm glad you've got your first date scheduled, and kudos to you for taking the time to take care of the things you need to take care of. Putting yourself in a less-stressful position is all for the good (although at some point, you may need to clue other people in on how to feed your DD). Good luck with the port placement tomorrow--should be a piece of cake!

Lee, I have a mental image of our boobless fireball rocking the high-heeled boots. Woohoo!

Skigirl, I was all ready to friend you on fb, but I couldn't find you. I think we can call this an epic failure to stalk on my part...

Sheryl, glad to hear the treatment went well. I know you've said you're an "awfulizer" (great word, by the way. I hope you don't mind that I plan to steal it and use it on some of my students.); I hope this good experience makes it easier to avoid that the next time around.

Nikki and almy, ciao belle! I wish you weren't a part of this, but I'm glad you've found us. Nikki, it looks like you and I are on the same regimen and starting the same day. Are you doing your AC every two weeks or every three?

ziffy, FANTASTIC news about your scans! Woohoo! And hooray for getting started and getting chemo over with.

Amrdbit, I'm glad yesterday and today were good for you. It's amazing how much medicine changes with time. But here's what I really want to know: Do the cold caps come with a straightjacket? 'Cuz if we're going for the psych-ward look, may as well go all the way!

Good luck to Shoshana (ablydec) and almy tomorrow. May your beverages be tasty, may your service excellent (no snails!), and may your hangovers be nonexistent. But go easy on the hot wings -- I hear they're no good for the digestion.

Ci vediamo, belle!

Colleen, I'm on ac and had no heart issues, I'm 34 so wasn't expecting any but no one bothered me about it before hand so I wasn't worried. Days 3 to 7 were the worst for me, I was just exhausted and foggy, I felt jet lagged all the time and at times struggled to stand for any length of time. I did not leave the house.



I'm on day 13 now and feeling good and hair has started to loosen down below (tmi?)and I've lost a few strands from my head. I got it cut short the day after chemo.



Almy I told the little girls next door that my hair is going to fall out because of the medicine I've taken but that its ok cos it means the medicine is working, it's just a silly medicine! I also make sure to emphasise to adults that it's not because of any cancer, it's a side effect of the drug that I'm taking as insurance. We are pretty sure the cancer is gone and this is just in case. I hope that helps. I think having it short first will make it easier on everyone.



LeeA well done, I love boots! I bought all sorts of shoes on this holiday and have worn nothing but jandals, it's so hot!



Skimommi I wanted to tell you I used to live in Keystone and I worked at Abasin, do you ski there? I love Denver and summit county is one of the places we are considering for our after cancer holiday.



Bryona thanks for the wine, I've had 3 tonight cos it's my half birthday - any reason to celebrate!



Xx kk

Seven days after AC#1 – Chemo kills chin whiskers!   No more plucking—yippee!  

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Kiwikid – Happy Half Birthday!  I love it,  but I am already 10 days past,  so I guess I shall have to find another reason to have a glass of wine this weekend. 

{{Nikki}}  Genetics suck, but you will slay that dragon!    

SherylB – Glad your Happy Hour went smoothly.  P.S.  I think you should just call yourself a pragmatist!

Lauren – I am not a water drinker, but I’ve learned the hard way this week:  You must drink.  So,  bottoms up!

Lauren15,

So glad to hear from you. You were on my mind yesterday as we both had our first treatment. Mine went well thank goodness. Felt quesy last pm had to take zofran and compazine and eat easy. I drink a lot of water but it was challenging to drink a gallon, yes I said a gallon, because of the cytoxan. I was reminded by another poster to not drink straight water as it could cause a change in my electrolytes, so mix it up with gatorade, popsicles, jello, even broth, those are considered fluid too. Sweetie your port should be sore you just had it put in Wednesday. Take your pain meds, don't let the pain get away from you. Are you putting any ice on it. That can really ease the discomfort and swelling. Remember to insulate the ice pack, wrap in a dish towel.

You absolutely have to drink, drink, drink, you are on a powerful chemo combo with the TAC, I can't take the A because of strong family hx of heart disease and I have been diabetic for > 20 years.

Hang tough, Sheryl

Glad to hear you are feeling well. So far so good g'here, although I do feel a bit nauseous so u just took the lesser of the anti-nausea meds. I'm drinking coffee now but I'm sure I will be off it soon. It's not tasting as good as usual, but what to do then for the caffeine headaches? I recd no pain meds for my port and totally forgot your advice about icing. I'll start that soon. Ugh. I took a Claritin last night. My shot is today. Should I take one this morning and tonight?

Ambien knocked me out last night. I slept so well. I'm planning another for tonight. I don't ever want to get naseous. What's the best protocol not to? Good luck everyone. I'll follow up later and this weekend. I'm still trying to fit work in too. Thank G-d they are letting me work from home! xoxo

Hi Wonderful January Ladies,

I am now two days post treatment. Chemo was Wednesday afternoon. Except for some very minor se, I feel pretty good. SO FAR. LOL! I haven't slept in two nights, but that might be due to the Clariten. Who knows. I'm exhausted, so maybe tonight? Fingers crossed. I had no appetite yesterday or today but am forving little bits of food so that I can get my vitamins down. My stomach so far is fine, and I feel pretty good minus the tired and the chemo brain. I hate the fuzzy chemo brain. Sigh. LOL! I had my shot yesterday, so anticipating the leg cramps. Sent the boys off to school with a warning to look at their phones at the end of the day to see if I could pick them up or if they'd need to jump on the school bus. It's like waiting for the other shoe to drop. LOL! So far so good though. It is kind of strange for me, b/c with the chemo I had 18 years ago, I was in full blown ick by the next morning. I'll take it this way, don't get me wrong.... it's jsut strange. But then again, everything is strange about this process. LOL!

Skimommi, I LOVE the lotto tickets idea!! Having also sadly, drawn the short card, I might just have to adopt this practice. Hey, someone has got to be lucky!! I am sending you happy lottery ticket love! Keep us posted when you win millions!!:)

Shoshaba and Almy, wishing you love, luck and cocktails that go down easily! Keep us posted on how it goes. Sending hugs and easy se's your way!!

Bryona, I could have used the straight jacket when trying to get that stupid moleskin off my forehead. I thought I was going to go all "one flew over the cookoos nest" in my living room when I couldn't get it off. No more moleskin for me. LOL! I do kind of wish it was closer to halloween time. This would make a husterical costume. Me in a cold cap with a straight jacket on. Ha ha ha! Love it!! Hope you are doing well today! I love reading all of your posts! You are a true inspiration my friend. 

Hi Lauren! When I was on AC dose dense chemo, I was given Emend and Decadron through my IV on the day of chemo. When I got home, I took a Zofran usually about 8 hrs after chemo and then every 8 hours after that for days 2, 3, and 4. (I set my alarm to make sure that I was getting Zofran every 8 hrs....never missed a dose.) If I felt queazy after day 4, I took a Compazine.....never needed more than one on any given day.



Since you took a Claritin last night, take one tonight and each night through Monday.



Congrats on starting your chemo! Tell your MO about any side effects that you experience during round 1 so that s/he can make any needed modifications to your meds before round 2. During my round 1, I had some queaziness during days 6 to 10 and continued taking Zofran (and getting the Zofran headache). When I saw my oncologist, she gave me a prescription for compazine and said not to take Zofran after day 4. She wanted me on compazine, as needed, to handle breakthrough nausea. She also gave me a prescription for Ativan which can also be used to control nausea and help you sleep. I didn't drink much during round 1 and asked if I could get some additional IV fluids after each chemo treatment. So, three days after each of the next three chemo treatments, I'd go to the infusion center for two bags of fluids. It helped a lot!!!

Oliverhog, 

OMG how scary!! I can't imagine. I haven't had any reactions to the Taxotere, but have heard of other people who have. Wow, you were surely put through the ringer. Hoping that it was jsut a one time freakish, never to return again kind of thing. Prayers to you!!

Olivesehog - so sorry about that very scary experience ! I am so glad u are ok now and that they were also able to complete the treatment . I had read about the possible allergic reactions to the taxene drugs so had asked about it b4 my treatments . The Nursw told me about 1 out of 10 get this reaction but that is varies - yours seemed to be pretty severe . I did not have any reaction during the infusion but a few days later I did Starr to break out in some hives ( along with breaking out in acne ). Bu took benadryl and FHA tcleared them right up . Just drink tons of fluids and get that drug out of your system ASAP to minimize the lingering effects .

Bryona - what about Herceptin?  Will that be patched in at some point?  

I'm surprised about the Adriamycin as you're on the west coast although I know the TCH protocol seems to be a UCLA-driven thing. 

kiwikid - are you getting the same kind of horrible heat they're getting in Australia?  I live in the Los Angeles area so for a good portion of the year I wear sandals but it has been sooooo cold here lately!  I long to go back to Kauai.  Permanently! 

Amrdbit - are you on steroids?  That's what kept me awake the first night.  They were delivered via IV.  I ended up taking two 1 mg Lunesta and finally fell asleep that night, or rather, morning and btw, waiting for the other shoe to drop is the perfect description of it.  I knew it would drop but wasn't sure when.  For me, it was Friday night.  Not in a bad way but I could feel the wheels starting to slooooow down.  By Saturday, I had the queasy feeling.  I was given dissolvable Zofran but ended up requesting the swallowable because I was dreading dose time because of the taste of the chewable stuff.  I know you're probably not taking Zofram because of the headache issue. 

Paula - My cocktail doesn't include Adriamycin but that's very interesting information re: Robin Roberts.  Thanks for passing that along. 

Oliverhug - Good grief but that sounds scary!  Pbrain on the triple positive thread had a reaction to one of the IV meds but I can't remember if it was taxotere or taxol.  

SherylB - one of the more amusing hair loss stories I've read (if hair loss can EVER BE AMUSING ) was a post here about someone who had lost the [choosing my words carefully here] so-called "main" area of pubic hair but the area that needed to be shaved for a bikini/swimming suit hung tough and didn't fall out!  The way the poster worded it was what was so amusing.  Just another reminder that we're not in control during all this!  Well, we are to a certain point but when it comes to things like that - all bets are off!

NikkiLiz - I love this and took a screen shot for my feel good file!  "I also,have been telling people that (for lack of a better term) that this is cautionary chemo and I'm not "cancer girl" and DEFINITELY not one of those stupid Hollywood movies where someone dies at the end."  Excellent!  

The other day I told my oncologist the following:

The way I have chosen to look at chemotherapy is that there's something in my physical makeup that's needed chemotherapy my entire life.  For some reason, my body was able to make cancer and now it's getting something that will help it stop making cancer.  He held his thoughtful chin in his hand and then looked up toward the ceiling and started laughing and said "ha HA - a chemotherapy deficiency!"

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Have a great day Ladies of January!