October 2013 Chemotherapy

glad to hear from you Wrenn!!! We are all warriors regardless of the choices and decisions we make. We all have the "gift" of confronting our mortality in a real way and making hard decisions.

Whatever you decide, you can still hang out here. We are all in this together ( hmm might start singing some High School Musical here).

Sloy if they are not covering the bill the oncotype company have a financial assistance program that is income based. Please call and see if they can help.

Pam. I had my husband come to my second chemo as well. My mom usually comes.

Glad everyone is checking in.

who can help me finding information about soy and cancer? I ws eating a Hershey chocolate and reading the ingredients and it has soy. My MO told me no to soy protein shakes...

wrenn-it always hardest to make big decisions when you feel crappy mentally and physically, but you will make the right choice for you. Keep us posted.

Pam-i start my 1st weekly Taxol on wed. & am starting to get anxious as well. Because the steroids really made me feel awful & wired during my first 2 tx of AC (slept 1 hr in 72hr period) MO has me taking only 8mg night before & morning, but i believe we get some in the infusion as well. I also asked if i dont have an allergic reaction from tx #1 can we continue to decrease steroids because a reaction would most likely happen during the 1st tx & he said yes. Did you or anyone get any tips about weekly Taxol?

Yeah!!! Slo, I cannot believe insurance is allowed to make health decisions for us!!!!

Thank you Kim, I get the feeling from my sisters that they think I am giving up because I don't like the side effects in general. They know people who have gone through chemo and say they managed. I have a friend with stage 4 colon cancer and although the colon surgery was difficult his chemo was a breeze he said. He had no pain, nausea or hair loss so it is different depending on the drugs used.

It figures that the women here have the most compassionate attitude about it and by far the most realistic. I did a google search for diverticulitis and chemo and there are a few cases with just a short search that make me more committed to stopping. One mentioned that she thought it was the taxotere.

I want to stay with this group not only because it is informative but because I have grown so fond of you and want to keep up with how it is going for all of you. I feel blessed and you are the silver lining in this journey. Saying thank you doesn't cut it.

Hi ladies, I don't post all that often because my regimen is different than most of yours but I do follow this thread and I am amazed by all the strength you all show.

Wrenn, don't listen to well-meaning people who say, "well, my blah-blah's friend had chemo and they got through it just fine." They are not you! As for your friend who had colon cancer, the chemo protocols for colon cancer are very different and often don't cause hair loss. I wish our BC protocols could also include no hair loss. I think that would make everything a lot easier for many of us. Sigh.

Anyway, wrenn, you have to do what you feel is right. Sometimes, SEs can be permanent for some people, depending on their situation and that is something to definitely think about. Quality of life is something to consider. Many oncs and other well meaning people in our lives don't understand that. They see it as, "well, at least you're alive. You have permanent side effects but you're still here." That is all easy to say when it is not happening to them, but happening to you. Hang in there and make the right decision for you!

Pam and Headeast, I'll be sitting in the chemo chair on Wednesday also, so I'll be thinking you guys too! I'll be having AC#3

Headeast, yuck on the expansion pain! I'm currently at 360mls and put my fills on hold until after chemo is over because I didn't want to deal with more expander pain on top of chemo junk--I'm a wimp though!

Hey Ladies!

Hope you're doing ok. I got through some posts but need to read more.

I had my 3rd Taxol/Herceptin today, was there about 5.5 hours. Having it weekly I switched to have my blood draw done first so there is an hour wait at least. But driving there the day before is such a waste of time & gas & through winter not fun in snow/ice.

Wrenn, I was thinking of you, hang in there, it's all we can do. Step by step & only you can make decisions about yourself & treatment.

My blood counts are still low, should be back up since being of the A&C but....I am teetering on the edge of the counts being a no go for chemo. Blood builder & steak will be on the menu again the next few days.

It seems the fatigue must be a combination of weekly Taxol & the low blood counts huh?

I have been reading along with you all, but just not-so-patiently waiting for my hives to go away. Finally, today, I didn't have to take Benedryl, and just took the prednisone this morning. A few of my taste buds are starting to wake up again today too....can't taste anything sweet, though. Tomorrow I meet with the MO and I am prepared with daily photos of my rash progression -- will ask for Atarax (thanks Special K), and make it clear this cannot be 6 days or rash/hives next time. I will also take you all along in my pockets as cheerleaders.....

Wrenn, how are you feeling?

VintageGal, wishing you smooth sibling this week -- hope the low BCs don't pose a problem. When my WBC was low after my first tx, I never felt so exhausted in my life -- could fall asleep at any moment. Here's hoping you perk up a bit now that AC is in the past.

Yuck for all of the expansion pain you gals have! I am having enough trouble keeping my head above water with the chemo & SE drugs. If I had pain meds in the mix, I think I would just about lose it! You all are so strong! Xxoo

good luck tomorrow everyone. I will be thinking of you . Hang in there and stay strong sisters!!

My first few fills were painful but for me they got easier as I got further out. I think I had like 8? I think I maxed out my expander lol.

I am day 7 post last AC and still a bit tired but nothing like last week and the chemo yuckies are gone. I know my counts drop around day 10 through 14 which is the main fatigue for me will hit. My MO told me that I was anemic before last treatment so prob will be worse this time.

Vintagegal - I hear you about eating those steaks! Good thing I have been craving it. That and egg salad lol.

My next appt with MO is dec 20th and I should find out about tamoxifen and when I can go for my exchange.

I will be checking in on you all and cheering for you!! You are all so strong and I am so thankful to have you all there with me each step of the way.

I start my Taxol on Friday, weekly for me. My nurse said that I would probably not need Neupogen injections with the Taxol. I am to take Dexamethazone 4 mg on Thursday. Also I would probably not need nausea meds after. They do give Zofran IV premed.

Pam please let me know how you do with it even though you are doing dose dense.

Good luck everyone, hope this week is smooth sailing for all of us!!!

Pam & Vintage,

thank you for the quick response! How are you doing with the Taxol? Better than AC?

On another note are you ladies looking forward to Santa? I am not excited this year, too many obstacles /challenges/turmoil the last two years. I am thinking next year is going to be my year! Yes, I am hopeful