Starting Chemo July 2013

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  • Hannariggs
    Hannariggs Member Posts: 137
    edited September 2013

    CONGRATS JERI !!!!  I can't wait for that day!  I am planning a party at the Cancer Center and I am going to lick that damn bell!  I am sure I will be crying too. For such a long road and a hopeful future.  Should be November 20 before Thanksgiving.  Then I talked to my radiologist and he said I could start my radiation a week before my last taxol. I will be totally done with all treatments by December 23.  What a Christmas present!  I see all the xmas decorations getting put up in the stores and even though it is still 3 months away, the end is in sight.  Also nice not to have another deductable to deal with.  So much to be thankful for.

    Angela- I am still having trouble with the Taxol too.  I don't feel too bad, but have two toes on one foot that is numb and has been for several days.  If it spreads to the other toes and fingers they are going to start me on some drug for neuropothy.  I guess we will see as I had #4 today.  I would see if they can switch you to weekly doses.  It stinks to have to go each week, but lesser dosage.  At least tolerable.

    Have a wine pour schedule for October B/C month.  Should be a great time.  Also have the "feel good" class scheduled monday.  Also plan on dressing up as cousin "it" with the long hair for my infusion before halloween.  Thought it might be fun.....keep smiling all.  HUGZZZ 

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  • Mellie289
    Mellie289 Member Posts: 156
    edited September 2013

    Hurray for finishing TC, JeriGrace! I just did my fourth yesterday but have two more, unfortunately, so I'm not joining you and the other ladies who are done for rads for a while yet.

    Yesterday's infusion was done by a nurse who seemed like it was her first day, she was making so many mistakes. First, she blew my vein, a really, really good one! She shoved the needle in way too deep (and it really hurt) - no wonder she went through to the other side of it. She got me set up okay on another vein and started me up on the pre-meds okay, but then she included Decadron, even though I already told her I took it at home and didn't need it. She forgot to give me the ativan until halfway through the last bag (taxotere) and in between all that, she hooked up my cytoxan bag but didn't get the drip going. The worst, in my mind, was that she let one of the bags (decadron I think) run way out that I had a nice air bubble coursing through the line for a bit until blood started backing out of the needle. I ended up beeping for someone to come and look at the set-up at least 4 or 5 times with these things going on. Apparently, the finished bag was while she was off on her lunch break, so maybe it was someone else's fault too. I wasn't instilled with a lot of confidence yesterday and I hope I get one of my previous nurses for the last two treatments. They knew what they were doing!

    momx2 - I need to join you on the treadmill! My fatique was bad last time and I think I'm not getting enough exercise to combat it. I was doing some swimming, but it got too cold and I wasn't getting out there often enough.

    2bluestars - that is terrific news about your tumor shrinking! I'm so happy for you! It's kind of nice that you can see the progress.

    I'm so sorry for you taxol ladies suffering so much. Hang in there! I'm still terrified of getting neuropathy from the taxotere. I really feel for you, angelanature and hannariggs. My fingers are crossed that this shall pass soon when the treatments are over.

    I'm off to work for a short day since I need to leave early for my Neulasta shot at the cancer center. Hoping I can make it through most of Friday at work too until the SEs start to kick in in the afternoon so I'm mostly down on the weekend this time out, and maybe off just Monday and Tuesday if necessary. I'm sick of sitting at home alone during the week.

    I'm planning to go out Saturday night (day 4) briefly for the coming of age party of one of my BF's employee's daughters. I really don't know how long I'll last, but as long as it's mostly just sitting down, I can make it through dinner and a little socializing. I might be canceling last minute though since day 4 is usually a little tough.

    Good news here is that the weather has cooled down enough that it isn't horribly hot and sweaty to wear a wig outside most of the day.

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  • angelanature
    angelanature Member Posts: 179
    edited September 2013

    Hi All,thanks Mellie for thinking of me,I'm much better today and plan to visit my parents this weekend down the shore.I want them to see me at my best,they worry so much.Hannariggs,I've begged my onco to switch me to weekly Taxol but he says there is no data on changing prodical half way through and it would mess up my radiation schedule(the proton radiation machine is the only one in nj and it's really hard to get in).I'll just have to suck it up and ice my fingers and toes during the infusion and he's upping my steriods and keeping the neulasta at 3mg(half).It's crazy that it's taken to day 9 to be able to move without agony but I've got to be strong.Everyone,you can ask for any nurse you want,as a nurse myself that happens alot and no one gets offended,I like one nurse in particular and ask for her when she's available.We are stressed enough during our chemos,having a nurse you trust and feel comfortable with is important,just don't say"i don't want that one".I would say I have a good repoire(spelt right?)with so and so.Hang in there Rambo,Annie,Soriya,Mom2,Lark,and sorry if I missed any other taxol buddies but hugs to all,Angela

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  • soriya123
    soriya123 Member Posts: 662
    edited September 2013

    Congratulations Jeri! I can't wait but I'm a Her+ girl so will be for a while. Angelnature sorry you have such a hard time with Taxol. Hope you feel better. Millie thats suck. I always have the same chemo nurse and shes really good. It seems like more and more of you ladies will finished chemo soon. I'm gonna miss you all lovely ladies from this thread. Hope we still keep in touch.

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  • TwoHobbies
    TwoHobbies Member Posts: 2,118
    edited September 2013

    Ok I did get a laugh out of momx2 calling it the dreadmill. My sentiments exactly.



    Everyone hang in there. You will get to the end because you have already exhibited amazing strength And Soriya we won't desert you as you finish up your herceptin.

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  • momx2
    momx2 Member Posts: 109
    edited September 2013

    twohobbies that honestly was type error but how funny, really made me LOL and for this I thank you really needed a laugh .

    On a serious note walking on the DREADMILL (LOL) really helps makes e feel good and the hint of neuropathy that i feel subsides . I also wear ted stockings and the feel great

    Soryia you and I will continue with the herceptin

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  • DonnaD08
    DonnaD08 Member Posts: 128
    edited September 2013

    Met with oncologist today for my end of chemo follow up. Expressed to him my anxiety about my cancer coming back. Even though he reassured me that he believe that we got it and that his hope is that I will be able to put this behind me, he ordered another CT scan for me to help me feel more at ease. He is so kind. He told me my feelings were normal, but that I just needed to try and stay positive and just try to keep moving forward. I've been getting out this week and enjoying the beautiful weather. Keeping busy certainly helps me to stay in a positive spirit. Well my next steps are nipple reconstruction surgery on Monday, and then off to radiation in the middle of October. Just so ready to be done for a while. This has been an ongoing battle for me for the last year and a half. Just looking forward to a little break. Hope you all are doing well. You ladies are such an inspiration. Thank you so much Rambo. I will never stop fighting!

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  • DonnaD08
    DonnaD08 Member Posts: 128
    edited September 2013

    So sorry about your SE's. I hope they get better soon. Yes it does suck to go through all of this again. But I'm here, and that's all that matters. We will deal with what we have to deal with and we will get through.

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  • Hannariggs
    Hannariggs Member Posts: 137
    edited September 2013

    Angela,

        Why are you doing proton radiation?  I asked my onco about it, and he will be using froton radiation.  He said I didn't need proton, and they rarely use it.  I was just wondering what the difference was?  We apparently don't have it at our cancer center.  Just curious...

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  • angelanature
    angelanature Member Posts: 179
    edited September 2013

    Hi Hannariggs,proton therapy is used for early stage breast cancer,it has much fewer side effects because it's so precise.So ,less to no burns,doesn't effect energy levels,better cosmetic outcomes and why i'm doing it is no damage to the heart(my cancer is in the left breast)It's an extremely expensive machine so there are not alot around,I'll have to drive 2 hrs everyday to get it but it's well worth it.Hugs Angela

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  • JeannieA
    JeannieA Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2013

    Not sure if this is the right forum but I'm desperate for some help.  My 77 y/o mother is currently undergoing chemo (Taxol) for breast cancer.  She was supposed to receive 12 doses - once a week.  She got 2 treatments but when we went for the 3rd they wouldn't administer because her counts were too low.  This news totally blindsided her.  She worked so hard to get herself in an emotional state where she was ready and willing to undergo chemo and determined to beat this cancer.  Now she is depressed, and fearful that her body is not strong enough to deal with the chemo needed to fight.  Does anybody know of a resource specifically targeted for older women who are in this situation?  We are in Baltimore and she is receiving treatment at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins.  The nurses are positively wonderful and tried their best to reassure her that this is common.  But it fell on deaf ears.  So I'm hoping to hear from  someone who can speak firsthand of a similar situation.  Maybe this will help her - I'm at a loss of what to do or say.

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  • TwoHobbies
    TwoHobbies Member Posts: 2,118
    edited September 2013

    Jeannie this does sound like a common thing and most likely will rebound. Your white blood count decreases with chemo. Mine went down to one from eleven. They gave me neulasta to up the WBC but I was not doing weekly treatments. Maybe some of the weekly taxol ladies will weigh in.

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  • momx2
    momx2 Member Posts: 109
    edited September 2013

    Jeannie, this is something very common some oncologist prescribe neulasta injections to keep wbc count up . I get weekly taxol but no neulasta but others do , it all depends on the oncologist . There's a weekly taxol thread you can look into also.

    Good luck to your mom

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  • lark
    lark Member Posts: 61
    edited September 2013

    Jeannie - Everyone responds differently to chemo, but low blood counts happen to almost all of us regardless of our age. It's just a matter of how low they get. If it is her white blood counts that are low ask if she can start getting the neulasta shot to help boost them after her next treament. I'm 52 and I'm getting taxol every 2 weeks. I was told last week that we may have to postpone the next treatment if my counts dont come up. There's nothing I can do but wait for the next blood work. This whole thing is an emotional roller coaster. At least I know ahead of time that there might be a delay and I've been in treatment longer so I've had more time to process all of this. It sounds like this is all too new and overrwhelming for her right now. Please dont be offended at this suggestion, but many of us have also needed some Ativan or something especially at the beginning while we're learning how to cope with it all and at night when the fear tends to creep in. Momx2 had a good idea to post your message on the weekly taxol forum. Others may chime in here, but you might increase your chances of finding someone close to her age and on the same regimine there. Give her hugs and do your best to reassure her.

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  • aaoaao
    aaoaao Member Posts: 593
    edited September 2013

    I do the weekly Taxol with one week off.  After the one week off my counts are really good.  However, by the 3rd week my counts always are below the normal level.  So far they haven't been low enough for my ONC to postpone treatment but I've been close.  I'm 50 so my age play a factor.  Let your mother know that it is common for counts to drop as the treatments progress without much recovery time between.  It also won't hurt her to miss an occasional treatment.  My ONC has postponed my treatment a couple of times for me to get other medical treatments where there was a concern for infections.  There is a thread on this site for older women with bc. 

    http://community.breastcancer.org/topic_post?forum_id=104&id=728699&page=577

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  • JeriGrace
    JeriGrace Member Posts: 128
    edited September 2013

    Jeannie, I just want to second what lark said about taking something temporarily to help with the anxiety. My doctor prescribed Xanax and I take it when I'm feeling overwhelmed and the night before treatment when I know I won't be able to relax. One of the best pieces of advice I got from friends is to not be reluctant to take whatever medicine is offered. This is the one time you want to take care of yourself any way you can. I'm also thinking that your mom's doctor wouldn't have recommended chemo for a 77- year old unless he/she thought she could handle it. She's probably much stronger than she thinks she is!

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  • Girlstrong
    Girlstrong Member Posts: 438
    edited September 2013

    Hi July girls; my chemo just seems to go on and on and on. I do t think I will be done until January!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not sure if any of you will be on Herceptin but if you are; has anyone talked to their doctor about sub q injection versus infusion? Not sure if we do this here in the states but I know it's approved in Europe.

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  • soriya123
    soriya123 Member Posts: 662
    edited September 2013

    Girl Strong, I will ask my chemo nurse next Wednesday about sub q injection. Wow I hope we have it here. I am doing herceptin weekly right now. My onc didn't mention anything about herceptin injection.

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  • Girlstrong
    Girlstrong Member Posts: 438
    edited September 2013

    Thanks for asking soriya123; you will see your MO before me. Keep me posted :)

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  • bikergirl
    bikergirl Member Posts: 112
    edited September 2013

    Jeannie-

    Did you contact the American Cancer Society for resources?  I have found them to be quite helpful.  Good luck to your mom.

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  • TwoHobbies
    TwoHobbies Member Posts: 2,118
    edited September 2013

    I had read an article about the injectable herceptin when it was approved in Europe. The company was to meet with the FDA to see if additional trials needed to be run. So I don't think it is available yet but I don't know how far away it will be. It's pretty recent that it was approved in Europe.

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  • DonnaD08
    DonnaD08 Member Posts: 128
    edited September 2013

    After a little more than a year I got my nipples today :-). What a weird thing to say huh! Doing really well. Not really in any pain. Of course I'm doped up on Vicodin and anesthesia. We'll see what tomorrow brings. Hope all of you beauties are doing well.

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  • TwoHobbies
    TwoHobbies Member Posts: 2,118
    edited September 2013

    Donna I seem to recall the nipple surgery recovery was pretty easy and I was actually more excited to have them than I expected. I hope you have an easy recovery too. I can also relate on the worry about it coming back again. I'm trying to assume the positive since today I have no evidence otherwise. My plan is to keep busy and enjoy myself as much as possible.

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  • Hannariggs
    Hannariggs Member Posts: 137
    edited September 2013

    Just got back from the "feel good" class at the cancer center.  What a great time! It was so nice to speak with other women who are going through the same thing we all are.  Made a party out of it and looked so good we all went out for cocktails....ok a coke and a smile.  I would highly recommend it if you get the chance.  It was nice going to the cancer center and not getting poked and proded.  Keep smiling all....almost free....

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  • Mellie289
    Mellie289 Member Posts: 156
    edited October 2013

    I'm glad the "Look good, feel better" class was a good time for you, Hannariggs. I signed up for one next week when I saw a couple sparse patches appear in my eye brows. I hope we have a good group too.

    I'm now day 7 of cycle 4 and on my upswing. This cycle was better than the last one, my worst so far. I think this was because I fasted 48 hours (no food, only 20 calories of broth in that time). My main issues this cycle have been just the Neulasta bone pain and fighting constipation, but my mouth and the fatigue haven't been as bad. I wasn't staying on top of things well enough and ended up suffering from needing senna and stool softeners yesterday, but I'm feeling almost back in balance today. I'm going to try to enjoy relaxing today at home before I'm back to work first thing tomorrow morning. I hope everyone is enjoying an SE free day!

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  • Cherri3
    Cherri3 Member Posts: 31
    edited October 2013

    Hi ladies, am back. Had my 5th weekly taxol on Monday. Another 7 sessions to go.

    I have the restless legs too, Angela.  Asked my onco about my headaches, she said not to worry. My fingers are hurting and my nails have brown stripes too.

    I have the flu like symptoms too...running nose, aching bones etc.

    Counting down... Hugs to all.  Hope to be like Jeri, ring the bell soon!

    About low blood count, I did mention about papaya leaf capsules at some point.  I think they are maintaining my immune system and my blood counts healthy.  Just want to have my chemo weekly and on time!

    My eye lashes are thinning too, as well as brows.

    Hi Jeannie, sorry to hear about your mum. I had depression too and am still seeing my psychiatrist. If it helps, bring her to one. I take my medication. Life goes on.

    Cheers, Cheryl

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  • angelanature
    angelanature Member Posts: 179
    edited October 2013

    Hi All,Congrats Donna on your reconstruction,all you ladies going through so this are so brave.Had my 3rd Taxol yesterday and was up all night with restless legs(nothing helps Cherri unfortunely)and extreme aches and pains.Going for half dose of neulasta today,my counts were slightly lower but nothing dangerous.One more to go is the only way i'm getting through this without sinking into depression.My eyelashes are completely gone(thank God for glue ons).Though i have to say I look alittle like one of the real housewifes from New Jersey(not the best look).My son took me to chemo yesterday(he's 22)when he was 5yr old he was diagnosised with a brain tumor and had 18mnths of weekly vincrinstine and carboplatin.Now he's taking me,life has done a full circle,and like he said we are survivors.Hugs to everyone,what life throws at us we will fight and win.Angela

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  • Cherri3
    Cherri3 Member Posts: 31
    edited October 2013

    Hi Angela, I am with all pains yesterday and today too. Aching bones, restless legs (kicking in the air or twitching) and just pain, wherever it is :(  I can barely see my lashes now. Sigh... Perserverance! Another 7 sessions.

    Wow, your son is a champion.

    Hang in there... I had a bit of anxiety last night, decided to eat my dear lorazepam and sleep.

    Hugs to all, Cheryl

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  • Cherri3
    Cherri3 Member Posts: 31
    edited October 2013

    by the way, anyone has headaches? I started to have headaches. just wondering if it is normal.

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  • Girlstrong
    Girlstrong Member Posts: 438
    edited October 2013

    I had a really bad splitting headache on day 2 and 3 post my 2nd chemo. I think it may have been due to the Nuelasta.  My docotor prescribed Ultram since nothing over the counter was working.  I only took it twice and it helped.  The next time I had Neulasta I took Claritin the day before, the day of and the day after the shot and I didn't experience the headache.  Aside from the Neulasta, however, chemo has given me general headaches that are intermittent but ongoing........sigh.......

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