Starting chemo March 2013

I find it very comforting to be able to find people that are also beginning Chemo.  I can't thank everyone enough for being so open and honest about their experiences. I have now confirmed my first treatment which will be on March 13th.  Thanks again everyone for your words of wisdom.

I am into my 3rd chemo as of last Friday. I had AC Red Devil. Wasnt bad at all really considering. Lost my hair right on time about 14 days after first treatment. Actually the main problem i have had is just tired. My port was a pain for about 3 weeks. They gave me a big one easy to see. And took a while to get use to it. But after this treatment a bit quizzy for days now. Wont take the steroids because they make me crazy feeling. I have 1 more treatment March 15th. Then April 5th i start 12 weeks of Taxol which seems scarier to me. Anyone been thru that and any side effects they had would be appreciated very much. And i still have eye brows. Can anyone tell me if they will go and when i can expect my hair coming back.:) Prayers to all. What a journey

Waiting to get my port on 3/15 but very anxious and sort of depress.... So far, I don't know what's my treatment will be. I think I shall ask my onco instead of keep waiting for the next step. Surfing for the wigs and caps for past couple of days, I love shopping; however, when shopping for those, I become very emotional .....I can't image when I see myself after shave it off...sometimes, in someway I think I'm ready for all of the procedures and understand all of the processes; however, in other way I wish I'm not that brave..... I'm very glad to have a wonderful husband and 2 great kids (18 & 17) with fully supports. I don't want them too worry about me, i always show how strong i am and will be, but in deep down of my heart, anxious and scared are expending....

Yes Cherish i was depressed shopping for wigs and stuff to. And no i could not imagine myself without hair. I tried a wig shop but it didnt work for me. The wigs just didnt look or feel the same for me. So i am now hats and turbons only. I have 1 scarf but it is so hard to get it wrapped and tied to look good. And i have my night cap which i may add is crazy to sleep in because it keeps coming off. But so cold especially here in Tn. If you cut your hair really short it wont be as bad. The treatment is dooable so far for me. Tired was the worst. But i have only had 3 treatments of AC for now. Have 1 more to go of them then 12 of weekly Taxol.

Speedy4...I got all of my information on first day of treatment. So ask them to give you all the paperwork now on your treatment so you can get ahead of everything. I have a whole book on different things about my treatment of ACT. Mayby others will come along and give you more suggestions. Also you may meet with a nurse practitioner which will give all the information to.

Hi Ladies! I thought I would jump into your group and offer any help I can give. I was originally in the Oct. 2012 group & finished chemo Jan

9 th of this year. I had neoadjuvent tx and just had my BMX w/ TE's done 2/8. Unfortunately, my path report showed that the carboplatin/taxotere didn't work as well as they liked. Soooo......after all my celebrating of finishing chemo ( I actually brought a cake for my nurses), I have to have dose dense adriamycin for 2 treatments. Originally was going to be 4, but I think he saw I was about to cry & he said 2 should do it. I am SO very depressed about this. It prolongs my herceptin, exchange surgery & radiation. Also prolongs getting a job and going back to work.



So, since I've already done this...feel free to ask questions!

My book of tips:

As a tip for those getting ports- get one of those seatbelt pads (like $4 at Wally World). It will help ease the seatbelt pressure until it heals. My port is on the left and it helped tremendously. Also...if you're someone who tastes IV medicine and flushes-chew or suck on a SOUR candy while they flush (heparin tastes really bad to me). Anticipation is the worst. Because of the pre-meds I got (decadron, benadryl, pepcid, aloxi), I slept through most of my chemo tx! Claritin helps with Neulasta pain for most...of course not me. Don't be afraid to ask your Dr for heavier pain meds if it doesn't work for you. DRINK-DRINK-DRINK!!!! It will help flush the drugs out of your bladder & ward off dehydration & massive headache. Hair- with my chemo regimen it started coming out on day 21. Cut your hair super short before-hand so it isn't so traumatizing. Your scalp will start to itch, then feel like pins are poking you when anything touches your scalp. Expect your hair to come out in clumps shortly after. I am almost 2 months PFC and I have about a quarter- half inch growth (just to lose it all again grrrr). I kept my eyebrows & lashes, but they're thinner. Mouth sores- use Biotene. They have toothpaste, rinse, spray, drops. I only used the rinse & it helped. If yours are terrible, ask your MO to help. There are rinses to ease the pain. I also got thrush. Nails- some people swear by icing. I couln't stand it. I have a horizontal crease for every tx I got. My nails are thin & they lift & break in the corners. Ugly, but ok. Taxotere did make my nailbeds sore. For peeling skin on your hands...put on thick hand cream (I used Norweigen Formula) & put on cotton gloves overnight...works like a charm.



My "I feel like crap" schedule (everyone is different):

Chemo day- sleepy bc of meds...just slept....until bedtime then awake from steroids.

Day 2- feel fine- got Neulasta

Day 3- felt like a Mack truck hit me, backed up & ran me over

Day 4-8 - on couch felt like poo

After day 8 slowly came back to life but fatigued



I hate to say this...but don't be fooled by how you feel after your 1 st treatment. I actually accepted a job offer because I felt fine by day 4 the 1st tme. After 2nd tx....I knew I couldn't work Unfortunately, the effects are cummulative. This is just my experience & I share only bc I remember trying to plan my activities & not knowing what to expect. It is VERY doable & worth it....worth your life. :0)



Sorry this is so long, but I hope it helps. Adriamycin will be new for me (I start Thurs.).....so I'll be reading your posts.

Best of luck to everyone! ~Andrea

Hello friends!

I was scheduled to start chemo on 2/17, then 2/25 and now 3/11. I have been in the feb group and thought I would jump over here as well. I had a problem with healing following my mastectomy and had to go back in for a surgical revision. Because I was scheduled to begin, I had my port placed over a week ago now. It was pretty sore for the first few days but is much better now. I'm actually glad I had some time for the port to heal before I start. 

Good luck to all those starting this journey with me!

Hi liffeybloom- thanks for starting this group. I can't imagine doing this alone.



I also completely relate to the overwhelming tidal wave of thoughts and emotions. I found my lump on my 40th birthday. I was, quite literally at a party one night and receiving a diagnosis the next day.



I am 6 weeks post BMX and finally feeling stronger more like myself again.

I'm meeting with my surgeon tomorrow where we are supposed to talk about getting the port. I only have 4 treatments and I am thinking that I don't want the port. Just having a hard time thinking about one more surgery...while easier than others I just don't know if I want it.



I've had so much going on. I've been open with people about my surgery and treatment plan. Most 99% are supportive but I've had a few "friends" questioning why I'm doing what I'm doing. I'm glad to have this group that can relate to everything we're going through.

If you're on the fence about a port, you may want to do a search for discussions about it on BCO - I remember a discussion about that very topic.  If I remember right, there were some women who did just fine without a port and were pleased to have skipped another surgery.  Others wished they'd had one put in.  There were also some women who did just fine without a port through chemo, but it left their veins devastated.  Remember, even after chemo is done, you're in for many many blood tests in the coming years, so you may want to think about preserving your veins for future use.  It's especially important if you've had any nodes out - because of the risk of lymphedema, you can't allow any blood draws on the at-risk side.  That leaves you with one arm that can be used for all future blood draws.  Having a port through chemo saves those veins for the future after the port removed.

If you have a port put in, draw a line where your bra strap is and ask the surgeon to place it away from there.  Also, if you've had nodes out, ask that the port be placed on the other side rather than the LE at-risk side. 

Here's a link to a recent thread about ports, but I know there have been several of them over the years - just use the search function to find others if you're interested:  http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/799435?page=1#post_3396447

Liffeybloomer...Yes i got tired to but it does get better. Even though they hit you again. I was told how your first treatment goes is usually how the others will go. Its been true so far except my appetite has changed a bit on number 3 and a bit more tired then usual. But here in Tn not much sun last week.   And i didnt burp alot but there was alot of things i couldnt eat anymore because i still tasted it all night. But now my favorites are tuna fish and boosts and of course for some reason i crave fajitas. Dont know why but i could eat them all day if possible. Onc thinks i am crazy but i told him anyway. Keep up on any constipation because it may hit and hit hard if not prepared. They can send in a prescription also for that if needed. Hugs and thanks for starting this thread and prayers to all. And yes chemo brain. Its for real for sure. 

Thanks for your input cbear!!

Just wondering... could you drive home yourself from chemo or did someone need to drive you. I'm only 45 and very healthy so all of this is a bummer. 

What did you use for constipation? I was constipated a lot from my mastectomy and the meds and was taking dulcolax and prune juice but that has barely been working...works when it wants to.

I have been insistent about not taking steroids. My onc keeps telling me that since it's just for a short time I won't wind up with a bloated head or face and I don't believe it.  What good are the steroids?? What are they supposed to do?