Starting Chemo, November 2013 Group

Starting 11/13 Adriamycin/Cytoxan/Taxol dose dense, it will take 16 weeks. I'm 37, BRCA1 positive, 18 tumors in one breast, I only had sentinel node dissection and 1 node had 2 micrometastases. I had an option for shorter treatment but I am really freaked out by the number of tumors and having grade 3 and something going on in lymph nodes. Had my first oncologist visit today, the place is pretty depressing, but hospitals in general are. Have to take my whole family in for flu shots for the first time, we did not used to believe in flu shots, kids will not be happy. I guess the bright side is that it's happening in the winter and hopefully I'll be better by the summer.

thanks Trisha-Anne for the encouraging words!

I will be staring chemo as soon as my insurance approves Perjeta along with TCH.

My treatment has been delayed because of a nasty case of cellulitis. The docs were perplexed that it happened and said it was unusual to get it so long after the biopsy (4+ weeks). While waiting for this infection to clear, we noticed a swollen lymph node that wasn't swollen before. Biopsy came back positive. I can't help but wonder if the delay caused by the infection gave the cancer time to spread. Now instead of surgery first, I will do chemo first.

The infection also caused some concern that it might be IBC since some of the symptoms still haven't gone away. But the skin biopsy results came back today negative!!!

Good luck and cheers to the November chemo club!

Hi all, and thanks Ellen for starting the November thread!

Just stopping in to provide some more helpful links, starting with the main Breastcancer.org site's section on Chemotherapy, including what to expect, types of chemo meds, and side effect management.

There are some really helpful key threads here in the Chemo forum too!

Great tips and practical advice on the following discussion board threads:

• Tips for getting through chemotherapy
• More Tips (and a Shopping List) for Getting Through Chemo
• PORT PLACEMENT: Detailed description of process
• Head Covering Options for Hair Loss
• wig advice
• Cold Cap Users Past and Present, to Save Hair

Also, Last Month's Chemo thread might be informative!

Hope you find this helpful!

--Your Mods

Hi Ladies,

First time on this board. I was on the October board and had an infection on my surgery site so was delayed. I thought I would pop over to see the ladies on the November board.

I meet with MO on Tuesday and I am sure we will start the planning. I still have to have the port inserted so I am sure that will be first.

I have TNBC and will be on A/C for 4 cycles 2 months and then Taxol for 3 months. Still a bit anxious about the whole thing and first tx of course.

What does dose dense mean?

You have inspired me and given me hope. I am to start in 1 week . I just completed bilat. mastectomy and expanders and then had them exchanged after 5 weeks to implants last Thursday. I am nervous as some 'cysts' on my liver but hoping they are just that. VERY scared of chemo. and the effects. You seem so perky and dealing with it all wonderfully. I am sorry for your loss of your husband. You are amazing to walk and go through this alone. I have had a very hard day and just my mind worrying and nausea and all from the questionable cysts on scans...I saw one oncologist and he ordered the tests then saw another closer to home and he went over tests said all negative except couple little cysts, acted like no big deal. Got home and the 1st oncologist I saw called and said I need MRI of liver now..I am trying to go with the guy closer to home that said no big deal, but worried other guy might see something else on same report?

Trying to trust in God and have faith and know it is in His hands and will be O.K.=

But I just loved your words!

thanks

Hi to all,

This is my 1st post and have lurked for several weeks . I got my chemo port last week and I am starting chemo TC on Thursday 11/7, definitely am a little anxious about it. The treatments will be every 3 weeks. I have read everything I can and even going to a chemo class that my infusion center sponsors on Wednesday. I look forward to our November group to help us all keep going. Also will get PET scan results on the 7th and praying nothing lights up.

Ellen, hope your pain subsides ASAP. Use the pain meds for sure.

Ellen, I'm sorry for the loss of your husband. It must be so hard. Thank you for starting the thread.

Hello to everyone starting this month. I am scheduled to start nov 25th if all goes well with a post op infection i developed. I had a large hematoma and it was infected and created a sinus to the surface and broke through the incision from my MX. I am triple neg so was supposed to start chemo sooner but the wound is still open and the surgeon said it won't heal on chemo. It will be 10 days past my 3 months post op day when i start chemo.

I am grateful to everyone who is sharing their experiences with us. I M part of the October group because I was supposed to start then and the brave women there inspire me to keep soldiering on. Hoping for the best for all of us.

Northwinds - You might be getting Taxol. And the benefit of getting it every week is that they can give you smaller dose which gives you less side effects. So there is a very good chance that you can keep working. Getting it once a week is just as effective as getting the dose dense bi-weekly.

pompom21 I can appreciate your concerns about telling people at work. I am a very private person and found it very difficult to share. I told my boss, my immediate team and a couple of co-workers who would need to help with my workload on the days I was out. I figured others would learn eventually, and let go of that stress.

Unfortunately a bad infection landed me in the hospital, and between that recovery and all the procedures, I have been out of work almost 2 months! The cats out of the bag, and now everyone at work knows. It is a relief not to worry about sharing the news anymore.

I had my port placement today and I am shocked at how much pain I am in. Anyone else have issues? I start chemo 11/12, hope I am feeling better by then!

Hi. I have not started my chemo yet, but will later in the month. I do have a question about what to ask my mo about help with side effects. When I mention the side effects that may happen, it seems to be dismissed with "if you want to live". The same to be true with side effects mentioned with the ai therapy. Any specific I could ask, so I can get some answers. Thank you.

Thank you for the reminder of Ayr gel Ellen. It is often used by cpap users for sores on the nose from masks. I wouldn't have thought of it for chemo side effects but am going to use it.

I will start my 2nd TC this Friday. I had a very tough one for my first round. My MO reduced T, steroids and anti-nausea medicine. I will see if this round works well. Good luck to all of you.

Wishing all of those sitting in the Big Girl Chair (aka BGC) easy times and minimal side effects.  I did 6 rounds of Cytoxan/Taxotere regimen and can say it that this chemo regimen is doable.  I also participated in the Herceptin B-47 clinical trial and was randomized to receive the Herceptin.  If you are wondering how you may feel after having this regimen, I'm hoping that each of you feel as good as I felt.  I had my chemo/Herceptin infusions on Tuesdays and felt fine Wednesday and Thursday.  Friday is when I would feel the downhill slide and retreated to the bed or couch through the weekend.  By Monday, I was feeling fine and beginning the nadir period around day 10 post chemo round.  As you all know, the nadir period is when your white cell blood counts are at their lowest point and when one is most susceptible to infection.  That does not mean that you need to hide in your house and do nothing.  I went out to dinner and went shopping whenever I felt well enough to go.  I tried to avoid crowded places and sick people and did elbow bumps when people wanted to hug me or shake my hand.   During the Taxotere infusion of the chemo round, with the approval of onco, I iced my fingernails and toe nails for 1 1/2 hours (15 minutes before the infusion, 1 hour during the infusion and 15 minutes after the infusion).   I used Sally Hansen Hard As Nails clear nail polish or Essie nail polish on my nails to help keep them strong at the suggestion of my onco.  Be easy on your finger nails and use rubber gloves when washing dishes/cleaning around the house and learn to not use your nails as tools for opening cardboard boxes and removing staples.  I drank icy cold water and sucked on ice to help minimize mouth sores.   I  also would rinsed my mouth out several times a day with a solution of 1/4 teaspoon baking soda + 1/4 teaspoon salt + 1 cup of warm water that I made fresh every time I rinsed.  

As for trying to figure out what to eat, I used two books-- Eating Well Through Cancer by Holly Clegg and Gerald Miletello, MD and the Cancer Fighting Kitchen by Rebecca Katz.  Both books had great recipes and information about side effect management.  I also kept a daily food diary and drug diary so I would eat on a schedule and remember to take my meds.  The food diary was also helpful so I could figure out what foods worked best for me.  I ate 5-6 small meals so that my tummy was never empty but not totally full.  This may help prevent the nausea.  I also knew when my taste buds would go on vacation and food just didn't taste great.  If you have favorite foods and you want to keep them as your favorites, try not to eat them while your taste buds are on the fritz.  I know that there will be times that food just taste blah.  Just have to remember that you are eating to nourish your body and provide nutrients to help heal your body rather than eating for comfort.   If you are given pre-chemo drug prescriptions, make sure you take them with plenty of water and with food.  Those drugs can cause nausea if taken on an empty stomach.  I also had a calendar by the month so I could write down how I felt everyday.  As you can tell, there are many things within your control while you are in chemoland.      

I know that this is a lot of information to digest and there is a huge learning curve.  Just keep breathing and stay calm.  You are not self administering the chemo and you will not be left alone during your infusion.   If you have questions, post them or private message me.  Happy to help you.... many have travelled this way before you and are here to support and help you.  HUGS to each of you!!!!

Port placed yesterday, shoulder area is very sore yet. Chemo starts next Wednesday. AC/T. 4 rounds of the AC combo every two weeks, then the Taxol once a week for 6 weeks. Will get the Neulasta ? Shot the day after each treatment. I think the AC is a dense dose?