Starting Chemo, November 2013 Group

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  • Paulette23
    Paulette23 Member Posts: 499
    edited November 2013


    coming to the bewitching hour...15 min till no food.didn't feel well enough to get to carrabas..boohoo...linking arms with you all! funny having it now....will make a great BIRTHDAY present for the 23rd!! yahoo!! who else is tomorrow?

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  • Paulette23
    Paulette23 Member Posts: 499
    edited November 2013


    question about insurances...lets do a poll....good/bad...who do yall have. we have GEHA... another one offered is samba.....who is happy w providers??? hubby works for VA as RN. trying to pick best coverage! !! I have medicare disability for secondary.

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  • wrenn
    wrenn Member Posts: 2,707
    edited November 2013


    Canada.

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  • Lissy2304
    Lissy2304 Member Posts: 60
    edited November 2013


    My Oncotype was 19. First chemo was done Thursday. Neulasta injection was done Friday. Saturday and Sunday I felt like crap! Muscle aches, twinges of pain, rash on my chest and face. Tired and sleepy. Tuesday - feeling better, but still taking ibuprofen for pain, plus Claritin. How are you all doing!

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  • Paulette23
    Paulette23 Member Posts: 499
    edited November 2013


    lizzy glad you're doing a bit better. ..lets me know what to expect ....

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  • inks
    inks Member Posts: 746
    edited November 2013


    QuirkyGirl -remember you do not HAVE breast cancer, surgeon removed it Winking.

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  • audra67
    audra67 Member Posts: 521
    edited November 2013


    my oncotype was 21...but that test is for postmenopausal women so that causes another issue, I am premenopausal, lots of holes and errors and un-sureness in their percentages and data....but I'm doing it anyway just in case!

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  • audra67
    audra67 Member Posts: 521
    edited November 2013


    Paulette23-


    You will be O.K>!!!! I have talked to 2 friends that have went through this, one a psychologist, she recommends taking books, movies, drinks, and bible or positive quotes, and visualizations...she visualized Jesus rocking her in a rocking chair comforting her, etc...whatever works for you. She said it is worse thinking about it than actually getting it done...she told them she was anxious and they gave her Ativan in her I.V. then she SLEPT through the infusions!!! Woke up and was done...she had minimal side effects!!! She had 8 rounds!! She even worked during the week and rested on weekends...this is do-able...don't freak out, it is EASY to go down that road and just keep getting more scared and negative and just as easy to vanquish every negative thought with a positive affirmation! Tell yourself you can do it, you will come through this stronger, God has you in the palm of His hand, take one day at a time and live in the moment! You can do this! Look how many others have and are doing it already on this site!!! We are all scared but change your thinking ~ take control of that as it's the ONLY thing you can control right now! Bless you and you will do just fine!

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  • audra67
    audra67 Member Posts: 521
    edited November 2013


    quirkygirl- Our oncotype # same 21...and they told me half as well instead of 13% reoccurrence chance so I am going for it..start tomorrow...looking at it as killing all of those potential bad lurking cells inside that might be mutating or even thinking about it...have been trying to eat great the last week, I had lost 10 pounds from my mastectomies and exchanges and surgeries....and I don't have anything much to lose...


    Anyhow it is hard to believe sometimes we have this and are going through this ~ wish it was all a bad dream...


    But this too shall pass and we will make it through better and stronger than before! WE CAN DO THIS!!

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  • NorthwindsGS
    NorthwindsGS Member Posts: 128
    edited November 2013


    Thinking of all you ladies starting chemo today.....wishing you all the best today!

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  • wrenn
    wrenn Member Posts: 2,707
    edited November 2013


    Me too wishing the best to the chemo ladies today. Hope it goes as smoothly as possible.

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  • QuirkyGirl
    QuirkyGirl Member Posts: 383
    edited November 2013


    Thinking of everyone starting today!


    Audra67 - I had no idea that the test was for post menopausal women. If your user name is a clue to your age, our ages match, too.


    Veronica37 - looks like we'll be starting the same day. Do you start steroids on Monday?

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  • Paulette23
    Paulette23 Member Posts: 499
    edited November 2013


    well.....ports in and need to wait approx 1hr. procedure went well.off to chemo next...

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  • lisa137
    lisa137 Member Posts: 569
    edited November 2013


    My plan now is for both port placement and first chemo on the same day: Monday the 25th. Should be interesting.

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  • audra67
    audra67 Member Posts: 521
    edited November 2013


    Thinking of you Paulette!!!


    Quirky girl- yep born in 67 so 46....premenopausal til tomorrow, if the chemo puts you in it right away anyway...


    Trying to stay calm and not over anxious, chemo class at 3pm then starts in the am....


    Let me know how you all do!


    God Bless us all!


    this SUCKS!

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  • wrenn
    wrenn Member Posts: 2,707
    edited November 2013


    I'm nervous but excited for you all to be starting. Hope it goes smoothly. Keep us posted.

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  • tonilee2
    tonilee2 Member Posts: 91
    edited November 2013


    Want to quickly pop-in to say "hi" to all the November Warriors. I've been lurking and reading for several weeks now, since my breast cancer diagnosis in September 2013.


    Had a Core Needle Biopsy on 9/9/13 and received the news about malignancy on 9/11/13. Had a left lumpectomy and Sentinel Node plus Axillary Node (partial) dissection on 10/9/13 and will hopefully be having my port placed and my first round of chemotherapy administered next Wednesday 11/20/13. Been so many delays and I am still in shock...doing lots and lots of crying :0(


    Forgive me for not putting out more. I will when I feel capable. Everyone has already provided me with so much helpful information...I am petrified! I'm wishing everyone here prayers, warmth and hugs. I promise I will be here for anyone who needs me, too! I feel grateful for all of you!


    MelroseMelrose...been trying to PM you but the system won't allow it. May I try adding you as a friend? Perhaps that will make the difference.


    Toni Lee

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  • wrenn
    wrenn Member Posts: 2,707
    edited November 2013


    Sorry to see you had to join us Tonilee but this is the place for sure. Fantastic support and information.

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  • Paulette23
    Paulette23 Member Posts: 499
    edited November 2013


    hi all!! well treatment one is done.no pbms....just waiting on the effects BLAH...WENT inat8:30...port finally done at 11ish...treatment wa s until 4:00.....LONGDAY!!!!!

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  • wrenn
    wrenn Member Posts: 2,707
    edited November 2013


    yay. You made it. Hope side effects are minimal

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  • QuirkyGirl
    QuirkyGirl Member Posts: 383
    edited November 2013


    Yay Paulette23 - you did it! Woohoo! So glad to hear it was uneventful. Toni- you haven't known very long so hang in there. It will get better. Some of us are starting within a day of you so don't despair, we'll walk this path together and it will okay. Chemo has a beginning and an end. All we have to do it get through it to the other side.

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  • RichCPAman
    RichCPAman Member Posts: 21
    edited November 2013


    Hello, ladies.

    I am the husband caregiver to my wonderful wife.  She starts tommorrow on her chemo journey on this roller-coaster ride that NONE of you ever wanted to join...

    She is doing the TCH+P regimen every three weeks for 6 treatments, then herceptin for another 9 months. 

    I doubt if she will sleep a wink tonight.  I may ask her to take TWO sleeping pills.

    I will try to visit regularly on this thread.  Maybe I can help you understand some of your caregiver/partner/support issues...

    She has already had a lumpectomy surgery on her left breast, but the margins were not good, so she will have to have an MX after chemo.  She ended up with a slight infection, and they put her on amoxocillin and said see you Thursday.

    No other serious side effects from the surgery, some pain, and some swelling, but nothing like some have described on htis thread.  So that for the ladies who are doing ok, so far.  ;)

    Rich

     

     

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  • QuirkyGirl
    QuirkyGirl Member Posts: 383
    edited November 2013


    Good luck to your wife, Rich. She's more than lucky to have you. Please let us know how we can support you both.

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  • Veronica37
    Veronica37 Member Posts: 71
    edited November 2013


    Way to go Paulette, keep us posted on your SE, Im sooo nervous! Welcome ToniLee, I am also fairly new to this, it is scarry but doable. I start my chemo next week, was supposed to start today but insurance delays. We are all here for each other, glad to be part of a team!

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited November 2013

    tonilee2- Check your private messages.Winking

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  • ellenkc
    ellenkc Member Posts: 173
    edited November 2013


    Ahhh. Chemo. Best excuse ever for a facial and manicure! Great afternoon. Smile


    Ellen

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  • Septmom
    Septmom Member Posts: 150
    edited November 2013


    Hello Ladies,


    I am starting chemo tomorrow. I am doing 4 rounds of dose dense AC every two weeks followed by 12 weekly taxol. The nurse said I will be getting my neulasta shot tomorrow after infusion. I have been reading a lot of posts where the shot was given the next day. Is it odd that I am getting the shot on te day of infusion? This concerns me. Thanks!

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited November 2013

    Septmom- Good luck tomorrow in the BGC aka the Big Girl Chair.  The nurse is correct in saying that you will receive it after you have your chemo but I think she meant the day following your chemo round.  Neulasta is administered at least 24 hours after the infusion.  Here is a link to chemocare.com that can give you a little more info about the Neulasta shot. http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/Neulasta.aspx .

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  • audra67
    audra67 Member Posts: 521
    edited November 2013


    Hoooray for you Paulette! Hope NOTHING happens!


    I went to 'chemo class' today and she acted like I was insane for being anxious and having had trouble sleeping! She (the nurse) told me it has come a long way and gave me prescriptions for Zofran and Phenergan to alternate and she said they would be giving me antinausea meds I.V. that last 3 days!! Never heard of such a thing...and the decadron etc...for the Taxotere...


    She also said only 80% of people lose their hair??? I don't know if she was trying to comfort/lie to me to get me to feel happier about tomorrow or if that is really true?? Not per these threads...But she also said call with any discomforts and they will give me meds for them...made it seem like answer for every problem...so hoping it is all true and works out well...


    I need good veins as did NOT want a port....so drinking, and drinking, and drinking today...


    Anyhow just seeing the place and walking through and going did actually ease my mind a little.


    So I start tomorrow!


    Loaded up on spinach, fish and black beans tonight, not sure if I will want to smell fish for awhile if there is any nausea in the future.


    Here we go!

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  • NorthwindsGS
    NorthwindsGS Member Posts: 128
    edited November 2013


    Does anyone take Claratin to help with the possible side effects of the Neulasta injection? I asked my BC navigator and she had never heard of it. Looks like a lot of chemo patients who get the injection recommend it.


    Kinda bumming today as my insurance rejected my request for a wig, or skull prosthesis.........didn't think at first I even wanted one however now that I realize how long it takes for hair to grow back in I was kinda leaning towards getting one. More so that I don't scare my Granddaughter or my clients at work. I am a CNA and work in a adult group home and worry the ladies I take care of may have a hard time seeing me without hair. Our Granddaughter is 4 and asks so many questions, hubby says to explain that Grandma is sick however I don't want her to worry that is she gets sick herself she will loose her hair.........

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