Starting chemo March 2013

Hi Ladies! I'm getting caught up on posts as I'm returning to the land of the living. Caught a sinus/throat something & on antibx. 3 months of chemo Oct-Jan...prime cold/flu time and nothing. My 1st round of

A/C and boom!



Lola- I would be glad your new MO wants a PET scan prior to tx. It will not only tell you if there's anything there, but it'll also give them a baseline for any future scans. As for the old one...you need to call the medical board.Either he's not listening to you...or he confused you with another pt when dictating & that could be how that got in your chart. Also..and this is the big one, any physician who prescribes a pt a regimen of toxic drugs, and damaging steroids bc the pt "wants it" is a quack. If he didn't think you needed it, he should have politely refused, explained exactly why, and suggested a 2nd opinion. He 's the MD. Pt's should be a team player in their tx, but not dictate something like that. A medical board will question it & you will save others the same fate. You shouldn't have been misrepresented like that....I hate that happened to you.



Also, as if you can't tell, I'm an RN. LOL I've noticed on some posts on BCO that people ( in the spirit of being helpful and trying to ease others suffering) suggest increased doses/frequency of OTC meds, or stopping meds. Everyone should ALWAYS discuss with their team! It may be suggested with this implied, but we may-in our desperate need for relief-jump in on a suggestion. Each MO has their own protocols & parameters for doses, & reasons they give meds. Many meds cover multiple things. OTC meds are still meds & can cause damage or exacerbate side effects. Don't forget about your liver! Many of the meds we take are hard on our livers & on top of the chemo, bc likes to go to the liver. Also, tylenol & motrin can mask temps, so some want you yo limit them (others don't seem to care). These guys work for you & with you! Talk to them & let them come up with a solution for you. Definitely ask if you don't know why they're having you do or take something you don't understand.



Sorry to be preachy, but I want everyone safe. Also bc this is the topic of my talk w/my MO tomorrow. I don't know that I want to do my next (last) AC on Thurs. I'm miserable & crazy I need to understand exactly why I need it....and have him talk me through it. I need to TELL him that I'm miserable & crazy & have him debate this with me so we're both happy.



I'm SO sorry, but I can't remember the name of the poster, but for the amazing woman facing all this while pregnant.....you should suggest to the mods to create a permanent place for women who are pregnant. I had an Oct sister who recently (temporarily) stopped chemo to deliver a beautiful and very healthy baby girl. It would be easier to connect with others who face your unique issues. I wish you much luck!



Much love to everyone. Hoping for soft se's for you. ~Andrea

Lolalou,



At my first meeting with my MO he ordered a bone scan, CT/PET scans and a breast MRI on both breasts. I guess it just depends on the doctor. All scans were clear.

Tho225 i was in same situation as you. Mine was metastic in one node and less then 1mm in the second one. My thing was the Dr. only took out 2 nodes so i dont know if it was in the 3rd. They stated to me that they did not think any other nodes were involved. My surgeon said a few years ago they would of went back in and did a ALND but not now. I think about it all the time if i made the right decision or not.

Dear Cbear,



Thanks for the post. I still can't make a decision, but I feel any decision I make will always make me wonder if I made the right choice. I wish my SO would just tell me what to do instead of asking me to....so frustrating...



Thanks again for your help.

Ok we'll here's a little update! I saw my PS today..and that area I was worried about that had bad blood flow has gotten much better! The area actually came back and just has a dry very thin brownish scab that's flaking off..he said it looks great and he doesn't and wouldn't do anything to hold up my cancer treatment...his words were "everything is healing great...you need to take care of your health...nothing I do for you is more important than your cancer treatment...start your chemo, and if anything comes up I will work around your treatment...come back in 2 weeks and if you are feeling up to it we can start your fills, if you aren't feeling well we can delay your fills..we are working on your time here and I will wait as long as you need"...so my plastic surgeon is AMAZING! I feel a million times better knowing I'm healing good and my chemo will not be delayed...oh oh and the best news...........MY FINAL 2 DRAINS ARE OUT!!!!!!! I am soooo excited and I can't wait to wake up tomorrow and take a shower finally!!!!!! Some other news about tomorrow, I have very long thick crazy hair...but I chose to get it cut tomorrow to about my chin....I have always wanted to try out the short hair, but i use my long hair as a weight to weigh down my poof....but now is the best time to try it...if I hate it ill only have it for a few weeks before I start shedding and I shave it!! So I'm terrified and excited All at the same time! Thanks for reading my rambling!

I guess it is time for me to join this group.  I actually had my first round of chemo on March 12th (TAC - 6 rounds 21- day intervals).  I had a fairly easy 1st round.  My only SE's were extremely sensitive mouth (still have very limited taste buds and irritated tongue) and mild bone and/or muscle pain from the Neulasta injection.  I did take OTC Claritan.  I am going for my 10-day blood work up this morning.  I am feeling pretty good overall and have a good feeling for going forward.  

I am doing neoadjuvant treatment to try to shrink and pull the tumor away from my chest wall before surgery in hopes for clear margins.

I had a few delays in getting started.  Got my biopsy results on February 4 and left on February 7 for a 4-day cruise that had been booked the prior May (a 45th class reunion).  BS  thought it would be a great way to relax before starting my treatments.  The cruise was to be back in Galveston TX on Monday morning at 8:30 am and I had my first appointment scheduled with my oncologist for that afternoon. Guess what, the ship I was on (Carnival Triumph) had an engine fire on Sunday morning which disabled the ship.  We were stranded in the Gulf of Mexico for four more days.  Contrary to most of the media attention our conditions were not unbearable it just modified our way of life on-board ship.  Never short of good healthy food lots of veggies and fruit just no hot meals.  The only real shortage was no ice the last two days. I refused to let this setback change my good attitude, in fact, we had a great time visiting with our former classmates. With the lack of electricity there were no other activities getting in our way (no casino or loud music on the Lido deck) .  I did gets lots of rest since after dark there was not much to do but sleep. 

After getting back to dry land life began its rush to the treatment again and lo and behold the insurance companies had to fight about who was covering what drugs.  It took about 2 weeks for a final decision.  I think my prescription was at three different specialty pharmacies before it was all over.  First the prescription was sent to my oncologists pharmacy.  Major med declined the request.  The oncology center had to submit to my drug plan specialty pharmacy who said all but the chemo drugs were covered and wanted me to pay for the chemo drugs.  I denied that order and referred it to my major med carrier.  The problem was they have their own specialty pharmacy so the prescription was forwarded to them.  They said I was not covered under their prescription plan so it needed to go to my drug plan provider who had already been declined.  After much research my major med said they had to get a denial from their specialty drug company and then major med would pick up the bill and request their specialty drug company to provide the drugs and bill back major med.  What a zoo.   But in the end, it is covered 100% so I am happy with that.  Finally, treatment could begin. 

Life throws lots of curve balls but it can be hilarious when you think about it.  I am happy to be moving forward with this journey and I have lots to look back on and have a good laugh.  Everything works out in the end you just have to believe. 

So good luck to everyone else on this journey and good luck to us all that we get the final results we are all hoping for. 

Glory be to God and I will keep everyone on this journey in my prayers. 

FIRST CHEMO yesterday via IV...long day but NO problems at all! Felt so good we went out to dinner. My back neck and hands are loving the steroids...but I'm Type II diabetic so my blood sugar wasn't so great this morning. Going back for Neulasta shot this afternoon...IF insurance company approves it...fingers crossed. Will get port day before next chemo in April. Am ready with Claritin and pain meds for pain in bones.



Really appreciate reading about your experiences and suggestions! I felt very prepared yesterday which I'm sure lessened my anxiety!



OH...one exciting thing happened just as they were starting my drugs...some lucky lady got to ring the bell!! I didn't see her but understand she wore a gold and purple crown. My tears were for her joy. I felt like I was sitting in her spot...and that after five more treatments that is going to be ME celebrating. Just had to share...very uplifting for me.



Stay strong.

Thanks you!'

dede- ps does not have to ok Chemo..you should just make sure he doesn't Need to do anymore before you start...and also you should ask if he does fills while your doing your chemo...I've heard some drs don't..but other than that, he shouldn't want you to put a hold on your cancer treatment for his reconstruction...do your reconstruction at your pace and when you're feeling up to it!



Joelle- yay someone from my area! Im actually from Hamburg

So tomorrow is Day 14 after first infusion. Hair is still hanging on, what I didnt cut off is anyway. No tingles nor burning of the scalp. This sitting and waiting is nuts..either stay or let go for goodness sakes !

Hi Ladies!



Elmrush...I can empathize with the hotflashes. Between steroids and chemo induced menopause they're awful! All I could do is drink ice water as soon as I felt one coming on & use a cool wet washcloth. The kicker is the shivers I'd get after it passed. Be aware that w/estrogen + you can't do OTC relievers (like estroven). Hope they settle down for you!



Starrynight....My MO told me my hair would fall out on T/C at day 15 "exactly". I buzzed my hair on day 9 to avoid doing it when it was sore. My hair didn't start coming out til day 21! Could've enjoyed my hair a bit longer.



Hope this helps!

Hey girls! I had my power port placed today...I'm not really sure how I feel about it yet.. ..to start off I was shocked that they used general anesthesia and the tube down my throat...everything I read, said they sedate you but your still awake and jut not feeling anything..I HATE waking up from the anesthesia! And I'm not going to say It hurts right now, but I'm def sore...which I guess isn't a bad thing bc it took the soreness off of my chest! Haha so I guess it wasn't bad... The worst part was being put under and the sore throat ill have for a few days! But im still alive and kicking, so i guess i shouldn't complain bc theres woman losing their lives to Brest cancer right now! I, just lucky to be alive and given the chance to get rid of this cancer bullshit! So yup, ports in and im ready to start chemo monday and push till the end!

Hello Ladies...I'm 2 days out now from my first TC Tx and 1 day from neulasta. I'm doing good. I have had very minor aches in my knees and hips. It really hasn't bothered me much. I have been dealing with a headache all 3 days but I think it might be because I'm not drinking enough water. My taste buds are fine, no nausea.....acutally I'm feeling so lucky I'm wondering if the drugs are working. haha

I have taken a generic Claritin from Walmart for the last 4 days and today I took 2 tylenol for the headache. It still there though. 

Not really fatigued or anything either. Sure hope things continue this way.

Hope everyone is having minimal SE's and a great weekend.