Starting chemo March 2013

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  • Lolalou
    Lolalou Member Posts: 30
    edited March 2013

    I met with my surgeon today and I will not be getting the port. They had me meet with the nurses that will administer the chemo and they said I should be fine since it's 4 treatments of taxotire and cytoxin every 3 weeks. They did tell me if I was getting Adriamycin that I would have had to get the port. I just didn't want another surgery unless I had to do it. We'll see how it goes. 

    They did say if it's hard or veins have any issues that I'd go for the port after the 1st treatment. My boss did 4 rounds with no port also and she was fine. 

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  • liffeybloomer
    liffeybloomer Member Posts: 72
    edited March 2013

    Glad I have a neighbor dimples! If you watch the Weather Channel during this storm, you can all see Hagerstown up there between "sh*t" and "oh sh*t"! Right now the snow is lovely and since the college where I work closed, I'm a pretty happy camper. I'm hoping we get a foot or more of snow because then classes will be canceled tomorrow and since next week is spring break, I can sleep all I want to!

    Joelle, if you google "tie a scarf for chemo" you will find videos on how to tie scarves. I had my hair stylist help me buy a wig, so it wasn't quite as depressing to me to have someone else help me. The first wig we ordered didn't have enough hair in the back so you could see the webbing. We sent that back and the next one was ok. I haven't begun to lose my hair yet, so I don't know how it will feel on a bald head. I think that my son-in-law might bring his clippers to shave my head when it's time. I'm sure it will be emotional, but I'm trying to prepare for it. Our costume designer at the college has also told me I can borrow pink and purple wigs for her at times. In one of my classes yesterday, the students decided that this 57 year old gray haired old lady should opt for either corn rows or dreadlocks as my new style! I think not.

    dimples, that's a good question about steroids. I'm not sure what their purpose is. I didn't have a major reaction to them, so I never thought to question them. I'm sure I could drive myself to chemo, but it is also only about ten minutes from my house. I didn't because I have an overprotective husband and sister, who both went with me to the first chemo. My sister plans on going to every treatment with me, but that's mostly because she needs an excuse to have a night away from her clingy husband!

    Thanks again for your tips cbear. Although it sucks that you have to do this again, it is helpful for us newbies to have someone here to tell us what to expect and to pass on tips.

    I am finding that my taste buds haven't changed, but I have little to no appetite. I force myself to eat healthy meals and I enjoy them when I eat, but I could go hours without eating anything and be fine. My port is bothering me a bit more than usual, so I agree lolalou that if you really don't need it, don't get it. As you say, if you need it after the first one you can always get it then. I have also heard that adriamycin is hardest on the veins, so not having that should help your veins stay strong.

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  • Jlynn0807
    Jlynn0807 Member Posts: 89
    edited March 2013

    Good morning all!

    I am Stage IV and was originally told NO CHEMO for me.  Was supposed to take Tamoxifen only.  That said, I am now awaiting insurance approval to start Perjeta cocktail on Friday.  Have the port already, and am good to go.  My onc totally switched gears after presenting my case to his colleagues.  Taking a more aggressive approach!

    Has anyone here had any experience with Perjeta?  It was just approved in 2012, and I seem to be having trouble finding anyone who has used it.

    Thanks in advance.

    Lynn

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  • liffeybloomer
    liffeybloomer Member Posts: 72
    edited March 2013

    jlynn, I don't have any experience with it, although I have heard of it. You might want to try the Stage IV thread to see if any there have used it. Sorry I can't be more help. 

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  • Poppyj
    Poppyj Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2013

    Add my name to the list of the March chemo list.  It looks like start date is 3/13.  I am nervous, but ready to get it started so I can get it over with.

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  • Jlynn0807
    Jlynn0807 Member Posts: 89
    edited March 2013

    Liffey...

    Thanks, that's ok.  Oddly, I haven't found anyone over there either who has tried this cocktail either.  It is new, 2012, so maybe it's just a rare mix, I don't know.  I do know it shows promise for Stage IV bc patients, so I will take it, hair loss and all!!

    Beautiful baby :-)

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  • Speedy4
    Speedy4 Member Posts: 136
    edited March 2013

    Can you add me to the list for March also? I haven't confirmed my exact start date yet but my guesses 3/21. Heart scan scheduled for this Saturday so I guess the ball has started rolling...



    My MO is anti-port. Anyone else not having a port put in? I have easy to find veins so I'm hoping it won't be an issue with treatments 3 weeks apart.

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  • Jlynn0807
    Jlynn0807 Member Posts: 89
    edited March 2013

    I have a port.  Onc said better due to type of chemo....even if veins are easy to find, chemo toxic for surrounding tissue, skin, etc.....so I endured it.  Not thrilled either!  Every case is different though.  When I was diagnosed, I was in such a state, that I just went for whatever they told me to go for.  Now, not so much.  A month later, and I'm asking LOTS more questions and paying more attention.  It's my life in their hands.

    Wishing you the best of luck in your treatment!

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  • cbear
    cbear Member Posts: 33
    edited March 2013

    dimples68...

    Hi! I know how you feel. I turned 47 on my birthday last October when diagnosed. Real bad day for me.

    As far as chemo....The first treatment there is no way i could of drove home. I had so many steroids in me that i couldnt of drove home. They really hit your body the first treatment. After that i could of drove myself. I just live 45 minutes away from treatment center and its a big unfamiliar city so i dont attempt it. The first treatment and how you do will tell it.

    Use plain old Metamucil. Start the day before and keep it in your system for about a week and you should be fine. I didnt so it hit hard the first week. I used it for 2 weeks until 2nd treatment and  i have not had to use it at all since. I guess your body gets use to the chemo. My onc was going to give me a med but i didnt take it so i dont know what it was at all.

    The steroids are crazy they gave me and the regimen. They wanted me steroided up for 3 days after treatment non stop. I could not sleep,concentrate on anything or set still at all. And i was just so tired. After 2nd treatment i did it for 2 days and stopped. Now 3rd treatment i didnt even use them and i was fine. Onc said some women like the feeling. Not me at all. They want you to use them so you dont get sick at all. My face got bloated after both my treatments and after the 3rd it didnt so i think it was the steroids. Mine was Zofran,Phenegran and Dexamethasone.

    JoelleKc..I was the same way. I look terrible in any of it. And the wig just didnt do it for me. You look great in a hat by your pic...headcovers.com has some really cute baseball cancer hats.

    Sorry if i spelled anything wrong. Chemo brain :) Prayers for you

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  • JoelleKC
    JoelleKC Member Posts: 24
    edited March 2013

    Can't sleep, chemo starts on Monday and as ready as I felt to start the next stage of this fight, I am also scared to death.



    Good news is "devil wears Prada" is on TV...

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  • liffeybloomer
    liffeybloomer Member Posts: 72
    edited March 2013

    Hi girls,

    Well, all the hype about this great big terrifying snow storm turned out to be a bust. I think we have an inch and in most places on the ground there is no snow at all. What a disappointment! Now I have to go to work today!

    Joelle, I felt that same way before my first chemo, and I'm sure I'll feel it again next week when I go for my second at the end of the week.

    Jlynn, thanks for the compliment about the baby. My only grandchild -  a girl. I figure that pretty soon she and I will have the same haircut!

    Speedy and poppy, welcome to the club no one wants to join. Sorry you have to be here but I'm glad you found us. Speedy, do you  have any elaboration on why your MO is anti-port? I'm very curious about that.

    cbear, interesting about the steroids. I had steroids (decadron) in an IV drip before chemo, but none afterwards. They didn't really affect me much at all. I have taken a generic form of Sennokot for constipation, but I have been doing ok with that the last few days. I do notice an awful dry mouth when I wake in the mornings, so I have a generic form of biotene mouth spray to use when I wake up.

    My sores from the port placement are also taking a crazy long time to heal, so be careful, everyone, about getting any cuts. Your body doesn't heal the same way after chemo.

    I keep pulling at my hair, expecting it to start shedding any day now. It's a weird anticipation.

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  • dimples68
    dimples68 Member Posts: 46
    edited March 2013

    Speedy 4... I don't want a freaking port at all Cry  especially since I am only doing 4 x AC rounds every two weeks (dose dense) but my infusion center says you must have one.  I was not really feeling that answer. 

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  • dimples68
    dimples68 Member Posts: 46
    edited March 2013

    Thanks cbear.  Did they prescribe the steroids or were they given there at the infusion center? I do not want to take those!!!!!

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  • study411
    study411 Member Posts: 17
    edited March 2013

    Hi dimples68

    I am starting chemo on 3/11/13. It'll be every 2 weeks. 1st 4 tx will be A/C, then last 4 will be taxol.  I don't need a port as my nurse said I have good veins....but it seems to be a standard to have a port in if the tx is A/C ???

    I am more so nervous & scares about this chemo than the surgery.. I'll take the decadron the day of chemo, then they'll give me a sheet to follow on what meds to follow.  I'm hoping to buy a wig tomorrow !!!!

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  • Starynights
    Starynights Member Posts: 85
    edited March 2013

    Speedy4 -Will find out tomorrow when I start chemo if I need to get a port. I have little veins(only little thing on me). Doc assures me that the ladies are fabulous and prob will not be any problems. Geesh I hope not ! Im having four treatments one a month.

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  • elmrush
    elmrush Member Posts: 17
    edited March 2013

    Well I had my port put in today and so far I am just a little sore but not too bad.  Start my first 1st of 4 tx with A/C on 3/13/13 , then last 4 will be taxol every other week. I have looked at all the hats, scarves, and wigs and just feel overwhelmed.  Hate to order anything until I know what will be the most comfortable.  This waiting is so hard. 

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  • alcb70
    alcb70 Member Posts: 166
    edited March 2013

    Hi ladies! Got AC today. Didn't know I was getting Cytoxan also until I got there. Uneventful infusion...slept through most of it.I got 20mg of decadton IV & Emend for nausea. Had to take zofran after dinner (1/2 hamburger), and 1/2 phenergan before bed. Feeling better now.I cant stand nausea. Very sleepy, so gonna turn in....been dozing since I got home about 4:30. Goodnight all. ~Andrea

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  • cherish
    cherish Member Posts: 59
    edited March 2013

    Hi ladies,

    Study411 - I shop my wig on www.vougewigs.com. They got more varieties and very contemporary. Hope you can find something you like!

    Elmrush - I'm getting my port 3/15 and hope it won't too bad! Went to pre-op today, the doc explains very well why I need a port. Most of all, It will make my life much easier during the chemo treatments and it will be removed after the entire treatments. Secondly, my viens are very small. so, hope it'll work out as she said...

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  • Speedy4
    Speedy4 Member Posts: 136
    edited March 2013

    Starynights~I'm hoping for the same...uncomplicated treatments! :)

    I will have a total of 6. 1 every 3 weeks. I hope the time in between gives my veins enough rest. I'm just not crazy about another surgery and having something (else) foreign in my body. Heart scan scheduled for this Saturday. I love that my place has appointments on Saturdays! I have taken so many days off in the past few months already and want to keep the rest of my days for when I really need them during chemo.

    TGIF :)

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  • liffeybloomer
    liffeybloomer Member Posts: 72
    edited March 2013

    It seems odd to me that I take so little medicine after chemo. My MO only gave me a prescription for compazine, for nausea and I rarely take that since I haven't had much nausea. I don't take any additional steroids or other stuff. It's interesting how different the protocols seem to be.

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  • study411
    study411 Member Posts: 17
    edited March 2013

    Cherish - thanks. It came handy as it's snowing outside, probably not a good idea to venture out today... 

    alcb70 - hope you're getting your energy back soon. try to eat more !!!

    any ladies had experience on A/C by vein, no port. I'm v. nervous about burst vien.

    thanks 

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  • Starynights
    Starynights Member Posts: 85
    edited March 2013

    Excuse me...Im already claiming chemo and benadryl brain ! Treatment went very well. The nurse told me I have plenty of veins they are just little and you have to go in straight and very easy as to not pop out the other side. She also put a warm pack on my arm before she did it, dont know why. Benadryl knocked me out....a good thing. They did the SE prevention meds first all five of them. Then the taxotere very very slow.  I think this is the one that you are most likely to have allergic reactions to. She checked me every 10 mins and them ramped it up after I got down to half a bag. Then the Cytoxan. All ok. Nasty metallic taste in my mouth tonight and my wonderful sweet tea tastes very bitter. :( Feel VERY VERY tired. Hope your treament goes well.

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  • Starynights
    Starynights Member Posts: 85
    edited March 2013

    Liffeybloom-  I only got two Rxs for nausea meds. I havent had any but just had the first one at 10 am today.

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  • liffeybloomer
    liffeybloomer Member Posts: 72
    edited March 2013

    Study411 - I think that if your infusion doesn't go well with veins then you can ask to have a port put in for the next one. Hoping it goes well for you on Monday.

    Starynights - Thanks for your report. Hope that the side effects aren't bad. I haven't had taxotere, but I know there is a thread on here for carboplatin, taxotere, and herceptin if you need more information about it.

    I've had a weird side effect I didn't expect, but actually I'm not even sure it was a side effect. Sometimes I think that every little ache and pain I have is due to chemo, when it might just be a normal ache and pain! Anyway I felt really tired yesterday morning, but my daughter called to say she and her baby were thinking of coming up for the day from DC. Naturally I said "leave right away!" So we spent the day going to lunch, running errands, and generally having fun but by the end of the day the small of my back was killing me. I had to take a Percoset that knocked me out by 8:45 pm and this morning it still hurt. Ended up taking a Vicodin (I don't have much experience with pain meds and I hate to take them unless I have to, so I was experimenting to see which one helped more) around 11 a.m. this morning and it helped but also knocked me out. I seem to be ok now, but it strikes me as odd that I would get back pain more than week after chemo and the neulasta shot.

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  • cherish
    cherish Member Posts: 59
    edited March 2013

    Liffeybloomer, thanks for the sharing!!



    Hope all the ladies feels better and fight on !!!! :)

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  • elmrush
    elmrush Member Posts: 17
    edited March 2013

    Well I am preparing for the first round of treatments this week.  I received my first headscarf yesterday.  I got a free scarf from Good Wishes.  They will send one free scarf to any cancer patient if requested.  Very nice scarf and they had a nice selection.  If you have not heard of them the website is goodwishesscarves.org Just fill out a very simple form.  I hope the rest of you that are starting treatments this week have a uncomplicated week. Kiss

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  • Tho225
    Tho225 Member Posts: 7
    edited March 2013

    Hi,



    Can you please add me to the group? I am starting my first session of chemo in two weeks.



    Thanks.

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  • KATRS
    KATRS Member Posts: 18
    edited March 2013

    Hello girls ~

    I started my Chemo mid-Jan '13; doing T & C; first session uneventful, second kicked my butt; third time took a new approach.It is super important to drink plenty of fluids - I like water. Taste has completely left me and my tongue after these session is dull and miserable. I have discovered using a straw helps to get the fluids past my 'taste buds'. Night before, night of and for at least three days after I take two stool softeners and a Cranberry/Rasberry juice with Purelax (CVS generic). That and getting as much rest as possible made my third session much easier to manage. I am a terrible patient - hate taking meds, hate the routines, hate feeling lousey; BUT I love life so I say it is doable and manageable. Each session gets a tad tougher but I am three down, three to go.

    I do get a Neulasta shot 24 hours after my infusion and take Claritin about 3 hours before and then every day (24 hours version) for the next three days. I take the nausea med every six hours and I have something to 'take the edge' off - only .5 mg so I can take two if necessary. Work is a challenge since I feel like I am functioning at about 60% and I hate that most of all.

    Anxiety is part and parcel of this experience for me; I have discovered I need to be very selective of what I read. My Onc doc, my surgeon, this site are my most trusted allies. I have been told over and over, attitude is so important; it is a constant struggle but hey - we are woman, hear us roar - MEOW!

    Good luck ~ God's speed ~ Healthy Days Ahead ~ hugs hugs hugs

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  • cbear
    cbear Member Posts: 33
    edited March 2013

    Liffeybloomer.... after my chemos on the second week i get my blood checked again. They wont give me the neulasta shot. The onc says he will not give it to anyone unless they show signs of blood work being to low on some things. He says it makes people so achy and having pain. So mayby thats why you have back pain. And i have the same thing you do as far as thinking every ache or pain is due to chemo or cancer to. But i guess after what we are going thru its to be expected. I was told it would get easier and easier to not think about it as much. Glad you got to see your daughter and baby and have a great day. I get to see my daughter and 2 granddaughters 8 and 5 March 23rd for a week. I have not seen them since christmas. I cant wait. They want to paint nanas bald head and take pics:) Treatment number 4 of AC on the 15th. Noticed eye brows are getting thinner now.:(

    To everyone else..........WE CAN ALL DO THIS:)

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  • alcb70
    alcb70 Member Posts: 166
    edited March 2013

    Hi everyone. Been in bed for the last 2 days. Neulasta stinks, and my hormones bounced right back to where they left off in Jan. Been really down & weepy. Going through more chemo & dealing with these stupid TE's!!!!! Uggghhhh!!!! I just want to hit the fast forward button & be at the end of tx. I see rad onc tomorrow. I kept my original appt ( before I found out about another month of chemo). Hopefully I get good news there. Looks like I'll lose the 9 lbs I gained on TC. Was able to eat a bagel, yogurt, scoop of spaghetti, and some ice cream today. Just toast & crackers yesterday. At least the weather is better. Enjoyed the sun, breeze, and birds through the window. I'll get through this....but wearing down easier these days. :(

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