April 2013 Chemo Group

Thanks Jen987! I was wondering about that whole process.

Thanks so much Jen. I am not close to being there yet, but have been wondering about how that procedure is done- so again, it i s not what I was expecting.. I just figured I'd run in get zapped on each side for five minutes and be done with it-- at least that was what I was told.. so thank you so much for sharing.. (:

Hi all... Finished my last round of AC on the 10th. Wouldn't you know it, on Day 13, my eyebrows started falling out, so now they are very thin and scraggly. I suffered minimal side effects from the AC, so thought I'd give an AC SE roundup.

Treatment Plan, Dose Dense AC -- Adriamycin+Cytotoxan (Doxorubicin/Cyclophosphamide), 4 infusions via port followed by Day 2 Neulasta (took Zyrtec on Day 1-6). Treatment was every other week. --

Fatigue was the constant SE, lessening on Day 12 and worst on Days 2-5. Each treatment the fatigue was worse. I had no changes in the taste of food. Dry skin got worse throughout entire treatment cycle. Mild nausea first three days easily treated by prescription medication with a second round of nausea on around days 7-9 (also treated easily with medication). Throughout treatment was able to maintain outside meeting commitments, cook dinner daily, keep up with laundry, and keep the house basically clean. Due to change in diet, gained four pounds.

Tx#1 -- Extreme headache for 5 days, relieved only by oxycodone; extreme GI issues, daily multiple diarrhea, sores in mouth, cracks in corner of mouth. Lost 5 pounds. Clipped head on Day 9, followed by major hair loss on Days 12-14. Went to patchy bald with very thin stubble. Slight radiation recall at site of radiation.

Tx#2 -- MO slowed down administration of pre-meds (anti-nausea medication) due to previous headache. Doc also prescribed "Magic Mouth Wash". I increased whole grains to add B Vitamins into my diet and hopefully help with the GI issues (and gained weight). At doc's recommendation, I cut back on milk products, and used generic Lactaid before having milk products. Extreme headache for first 24 hours, followed by dull headache for three more days. Diarrhea taken care of... no sores in mouth, but had cracks in corner of mouth beginning on about Day 10. Radiation recall reached blistering stage by Day 8, requiring a visit to the RO who gave me Silvadine to put on the blistered/sore areas.

TX#3 -- MO changed nausea pre-med due to headache issues. This time extreme headache on Day 1 for ~4 hours, followed by dull headache over next 12 hours. Only GI issue was cracks in corner of mouth. Received three insect bites on Day 3 which I thought were brown recluse due to the severity of swelling and redness; Day 5 my MO prescribed antibiotics. Day 15 my MO sent me to a dermatologist, was given a cream for the bites which resolved them within a week. Derm Doc also gave me a cream for the cracks in the corners of my mouth which helped after about five days. Also had inflamed "age spots" on my arm and chest. Dermatologist said that these were likely pre-cancerous cells that the chemo had attacked. Made plans to have a full-body check after chemo is complete. Very slight radiation recall this treatment. Depression was bad with this cycle. Also started to have bladder irritation.

Tx#4 -- delayed four days due to conference so had a few extra days to gain energy and heal. Extreme headache for ~1 hour, followed by dull ache for another four (yippee). Cracks in corner of mouth started again on Day 5 -- this time nothing would touch them (I still have them). They are rather severe and painful. Bladder & urethra irritation continued despite increase in fluid. Rather uneventful treatment.

I hope this helps someone -- I had imagined something far worse.

Next step for me is twelve weekly treatments of Taxol (paclitaxel) + Herceptin (Trastuzumab). I start on Thursday. I have a hard time believing weekly chemo could be easier than what I just went through, but we shall see.

Hi.  I did my first infusion of T (in my case, paclitaxel) 2 weeks ago.  After 4 rounds of the red devil, I expected it to be a little easier.  Silly me. 

I opted to take Gabapentin "just in case" I was part of the 40% that might get muscle aches.  Turns out I got the aches anyway.  Severe muscle aches from the hips down lasted about 6 days; lower back pain continued all through.  I tried Tylenol 3 without much success.  After that, the hit-by-a-truck feeling took over.

Saw my onc yesterday and she has now prescribed Hydromorphone.  She doesn't want to reduce my chemo because the tumor had been large.  So I guess I have to tough it out. I don't feel ready for another round tomorrow, but I keep telling myself that I only have 3 more.  And every round is different so who knows?

I'm cold capping and still have a good covering of hair.  Shedding seemed to reduce in my last AC round and appeared to be much less in my first T round.  But somehow, I'm looking quite thin around the crown.  ACT is the hardest regimen on hair and it's possible that I may shed out before I get to the end.  But I believe I'm going to come out if this with hair.

First Molinda, best to you on Monday. I know you are feeling anxious along with the excitement of having decisions made and the damn cancer cut out and pitched to the curb. Your surgery will answer many questions. Please let us know how you are doing when you feel able. Tamoxifen or femara? What I have read is that if you are premenopausal, taking tamoxifen, then switching to femara is a good option and good protection for you. If post meno, most mos go directly to the aromatase inhibitors and femara is just one option and a good one. Ai's do have more options to try in case ses are difficult. There are probably ladies who are more knowledgable than me. I planned to talk to my mo after chemo, have her tell me my options...then do more specific research on side effects. I am post meno.



Sandra

MsPharoah,

Thank you for your kind words, they go a long way. I can't tell you how much I appreciate everyone's support and encouragement. I will definitely keep you all posted on how things go. Here's to starting down the road to recovery and healing, I can't wait until I am in your shoes and finally done...

Love & Hugs

You know its really crazy to think that we all been here since April. It has felt like a life time to me! But its only been about 3 months now.I talk with my family about everyone like we have been friends for ever.I know if its wasn't for all of us being here togeather I could not of done this as well as I have! There is some that I have not heard from in a while that I hope are still doing good. Everyone is still in my heart .

To all that are finally have surgery soon ,the best of luck for a fast recovery and if we can help you in any way,please ask..

It also seems that some are starting taxol and herceptin. I will be starting Wednesday. For some damm reason I am really scared of the unknown.

PamelaKay,are you only getting one taxol.I dont understand that. Sorry you are starting in a new place. Hope it all works out.

It's also good to know what is going to happen with radiation.I wish I was there now ,knowing its all most over. But we all will make it to the end of this crazy road together. Thats a great felling!

Hi girls,



This is going to make me crazy! Apparently I have used my arm too much after sentinel node biopsy that it has gone numb. Damned ADD! If I can't keep still enough now what am I going to do after BMX. This is maddening!

6cats,please keep in touch on how you are doing! Its really silly how we both fell. After every thing we have been threw so far. But I will be counting every week knowing when its done the worst will be over with. May it be the fastest 12 weeks ever with not much se.

Molinda, thinking of you today and praying your surgery goes smoothly and that you are comfortable in your recovery.  Let us know how you are doing when you are able.

Katie..sounds like you have had a lot of excitement lately.  So glad that the hospital was a scare only and that your doctors are taking good care of you.  I have not had any teeth problems but was warned by my dentist that chemo is really damaging and that any work that is needed needs to be done before chemo.  He won't touch me until October this year so I am praying that my old teeth hold out.  I have been using flouride treatments but unfortunately as the chemo progresses and the nauseau, using those mouth guards and ickly paste causes me to (you know....) so I have become averse to using the treatment.  Hope my teeth are OK.  I remember taking my children to college.  It was so exciting for the whole family and not something you want to miss.  My daughter and I had a lot of fun shopping and decorating her dorm room.  My son didn't want to have us do anything but drop his stuff off in his room and take him to a steak lunch.  Pretty sure there were many useful items in those boxes that were never unpacked.  LOL.  But it is still a day I remember fondly and if you can swing it, an activity that you won't want to miss either.  Talk to your doctors...maybe they can figure out a way to accomodate you. 

Tomorrow is my 5th of 6 TC chemos.  This past weekend, DD, DSIL and my wonderful grandsons visited.  The weather was so unbearably hot but we managed to have fun.  My daughter noticed that I have really slowed down. (her words)  She has a friend who had breast cancer who has been my rock during all this and her friend told us that it took about a year to get her energy back after chemo and radiation...but she had small children when she was treated so maybe that affected her recovery.  I just don't know how young mothers do this.  I am in awe.

Heather, take a look at this American Cancer Society link regarding the Women's health and cancer rights act.  I think you are covered sweetie!!

Onward with your surgery, chemo and reconstruction and best to you.

http://www.cancer.org/treatment/findingandpayingfortreatment/managinginsuranceissues/womens-health-and-cancer-rights-act

Sandra

MsPharoah

We must be on the same schedule as I have my 5th of 6 TC tomorrow as well.  I'll be thinking of you.  We enjoyed this past weekend with three of our four grandchildren too. Having them to distract me and to keep as a goal for getting well is sooo worth it.

Btw, my two year old granddaughter walks faster than I do right now so that's how I've noticed how much I've slowed down.  

Good luck tomorrow!  

I had my simulation today and I start rads on Monday. 35 treatments, 28 regular and 7 boosts. Basically they position you on the table and do all kinds of measurements and do a trial run. It was very easy. I was there there a total 20 minutes.



Yesterday was 4 weeks pfc and I'm still doing great. Although I hate to report that my eyebrows are very thin and I have a few empty spots on my lower lashes. Top lashes may have thinned out a bit too but I am blessed with thick long lashes so it's not noticeable. Just when I started feeling good I'm starting to look sick. Ugh. Hair on my head may be growing too because my white scalp isn't showing as much. I didn't shave my head with a razor so I've always had a little fuzz.



I have been taking vitamin E for the hot flashes and I think it's helping. I'm not soaking wet in the middle of the night as much as before. I also started taking Biotin so as my hair grows in it will be stronger.



Have a great 4th of July and stay strong.