Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013

keepthefaith, love the poem!

Of course you can share. Yes, I agree, Virginia-good for you for the 3 miler. I have been walking 20-30 mins almost daily. I think I need to step it up a notch! (or two)

Headeast, your DX and menopausal stage may have been a factor in the Onco being a good tool for deciding your treatment...not sure, just sayin'.

my insurance (Aetna) won't cover a hair prothesis...go figure.

good night ladies~

school- I went to Sloan too for my surgery and recon. Met with the same MO I met with first dx, but elected to do chemo in NJ for convenience. Are you doing your chemo at Sloan? How are the nurses? As mentioned my local has been ehhh and I am kind of regretting not doing my chemo at Sloan

Virginia, I went to Look Good Feel Better this week and really enjoyed it. We got a bag full of really nice make up and some great tips for make up, scarves, wigs, etc. I learned how to draw on believable eyebrows, which was perfect timing since I lost almost all that were left last week - 8 weeks after my last chemo! Hope you have a good experience too.

Headeast, my numbers are almost the same as yours except I didn't have any positive nodes. My BS ordered an oncotype, but when I met with my MO a few weeks later he questioned why she had ordered it. He said with a 4 cm tumor he would recommend chemo anyway. So to him, the size was more important. (I ended up in the gray area - 19.) Then the next time I saw my BS, she questioned why I was having chemo with only a 19! I really wish they wouldn't do that kind of stuff that makes you wonder if you made the right decision.

SC...good thought on the card. I think I will send a Christmas card to my BS. He was amazing...probably one of the favorite doctors I have ever seen for anything. Not only is he a good surgeon, but he just went out of his way to make sure i would still be able to do my job afterwards, get back in shape, etc. because he knew how important it was to me. I do want to send him a card to make sure he knows how much I appreciate that.

SC, my MO was all for chemo because of my age too. I am 43, and I wanted to be aggressive and do chemo as well, so we were on the same page with that.

yes, I felt the same about being close to home for chemo - the infusion center is only 5 miles from my house - while Sloan is only 13 miles, it's the GWB toll and parking and outrageous traffic.

Just went outside for the newspaper - brrr - I am so not a cold weather girl (walking).

Jeri - great to hear about the program I hope Monday. I still have my hair as I've only gad 1 infusion. I haven't gotten my kit yet.

Yesterday I ordered a free head wrap --- I didn't wear them much last time (gave them away) but last time I went through this in the warmer months......

Feel ok today 2 days post infusion........no pain from my Neulasta shot.......no nausea.......just tired.....(fingers crossed)!!!!!

yes, I actually did - and I bought the real stuff not the generic since that's what the clinical trial was based on. I don't remember having an issue years ago with the Neulasta, but the nurse suggested it....MO didn't. And I of course read it here . I just took the "couldn't hurt" attitude. And actually I am sitting here in no discomfort thinking oh I didn't take a Claritin lol

SC & KBeee, My MO said that I am getting chemo because I am under 40. He said if I was say 55, he would only recommend hormonal therapy. I agree with KBeee. I was fine with it because I want to be aggressive to avoid recurrence. I have too many years left!

JeriGrace and SC, I am really lucky with my cancer care center which is just 15 minutes from my house. All the key players (BS, MO, etc) meet regularly to discuss patients and plan their care. I never had to carry paperwork between appts or get a particular doctor up to date. My BS even pulled my drains for my PS during my port placement. As a result I had my BMX two weeks after diagnosis and chemo four weeks later. This has been the one true blessing for me in all this mess. When I read about people having to make decisions when even their doctors disagree it makes cringe. It is hard enough without all that. I really feel for you!

As for the card question, I know several doctors personally and I can tell you they always appreciate a card or note. When they get a note thanking them for something specific, like taking the time for explanations or to listen to a patient, they are even more likely to do it again. I am definitely going to be sending my doctors Thank You cards when I am done with all this. I'd give them a kiss if I could!

Not sure when I am getting port, having blood drawn today during nadir and he said maybe week or so after that when my counts go back up. Sure don't want to get it done though- tired of it all -Feeling exhausted this am, could've stayed in bed all day. Had more energy yesterday, I thought I would get better daily?? Maybe this is normal? What do you all think? Do you go back n forth daily or gradually get better?

My Dr said nuelasta next time depending on bloodcount this time...

I don't have energy to walk and certainly don't want to shower and go to dr! You walkers are amazing- I hope next week to have energy!

Not sure how much good oncotype does when premenopausal...it is for postmenopausal women- but I guess another 'tool' to use

I used to work as a nurse so I should've known about the veins hurting in chemo but never dealt with chemo when I worked so ignorant of 'normal during infusion'- I just trusted the nurse,, now I am typing with one hand as constantly icing my left arm!

I have Aetna too and rx for my wig but I paid cash when buying so not sure if they will cover it or not

I have my period too currently and am using pads which I haven't since grade school- gross! One more fun thing to deal with..

LOVE this site and all of the support! I am going to nap this morning and hopefully wake up with energy to get to Dr

Happy day!

Virginia, thanks for your input on the neulasta/claritin. I will ask my MO when I go in for chemo. Good to know.

audra, I hope this is your worst day and it will get better from here! Hoping you can get the port in soon and get it out of the way.

There is also another test they are doing called a mammaprint. It doesn't measure the effectiveness of chemo, just potential recurrence, I think. I decided to forego that in the interest of time. Just want to get this done and behind me.

I am going to my daughters' today to hang out with her and the grandkids:). Always a good "pick me up"!

Happy Hump Day!

Thanks Melrose! so, do you continue to take the Claritin for a few days after the shot? I have seasonal allergies anyway, so I am sure it wouldn't hurt to take it to keep those symptoms at bay, if nothing else. I will def ask my MO.

Thanks Quirky, I have the link to the trials on my phone to show him if I decide to mention it at all.

JeriGrace, my request for the oncotype is more for deciding if 4 TC are ok or if I meed 6 TCs instead. When I met with my MO for the first time he mentioned the wait for the oncotype results, three weeks! I said no, and to start with my chemo treatment right away. I wish there could be a way to get the oncotype test done to help in deciding if six or four treatments.

Are you doing four TCs?

kbeee, I have to push myself to walk. I was saving energy today to go to an event I organized before knowing I would be doing chemo. Exhausted now... And was traumatized every time I had to shake hands. Today is day 8 and freaking out! I am back at home and feeling tired but safe, ahhh!

kbeee, good I am not the only crazy one! Can you imagine I started shaking hands with the sanitizer on my hands, lol! Yes, leggies are up and feeling less tired now. I was standing up for too long...