Starting Chemo in December 2013

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  • Jodi040812
    Jodi040812 Member Posts: 383
    edited February 2014

    I finally got  my port procedure scheduled!!!  So relieved!  That means only one more chemo via IV!  Looks like no school tomorrow which is not good since I had my first real therapy appointment at 1 scheduled!  Oh well, maybe it will warm up by then- doubt it!

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  • Jodi040812
    Jodi040812 Member Posts: 383
    edited February 2014

    oops- port gets in on Feb. 20th forgot to say when!

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  • Carol99
    Carol99 Member Posts: 116
    edited February 2014

    just got home from my last AC!

    Maggie,thanks for sharing your story, best of luck with your treatments.  You have a great attitude!  I plan on not worrying about cancer every second, but I'm a work in progress.

    I was wondering if anyone's MO has brought up ovary removal?  Is there a link in BC or is it only for BRAC+.having mine out was what my Dr.s thought I should do sooner than later.

    Jodie, the port works great, grossed me out at first but I got used to it.

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  • Crazywabbit
    Crazywabbit Member Posts: 563
    edited February 2014

    Maggie.  Welcome, may I ask if your BC was lobular or ductal?   I have a mixed tumor and also was diagnosed at stage 3.  Very scary thinking long term. Hopefully all the pain of the chemo will pay off in the end. 

    Girls you all look great In your wigs and shirts.  

    Robin,  so sorry to hear about the bone/joint pain.   Thanks for the "time table". I  also get chemo on Thurs and 1st taxol this week and I hope to get the worst of the  SEs over the weekend. I want to try to get back at least 1/2 day in my office  3 days a week, I am aiming for MWF.  I have some Vicodin and Percocet along with some special "anti nausea herbs".  Hope one of those will help. 

    Boy am I glad not to have to deal with periods during this. Went through hot flushes 5-6 years ago so not looking forward to those things again.   Concerning shortness of breath I am convinced mine is from reconditioning.  Trying to wall the dog a mile a day weather permitting, which is not often. 

    Barbara 

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  • RHGSR
    RHGSR Member Posts: 774
    edited February 2014

    yea Jodi. I think you'll love the port. It took me a few weeks to get used to it but after that I've loved the ease of it. They even do my blood draws through it now. 

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  • Crazywabbit
    Crazywabbit Member Posts: 563
    edited February 2014

    most ports can also be used for the IV injections of CT scans and MRIs.   I questioned the chemo nurse last week about the MRIs since the needle they use for chemo or blood draws is metal. She said they have a special one for MRIs, non ferrous.  Good because I am schedule for a MRI in early may. 

    Anyone with a port ask for numbing cream, EMLA etc,  no need to even feel the quick stick each week. 

    Barbara 

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  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited February 2014

    djj, thanks for the encouragement!

    jodi, I agree, you will like the port once you get used to it. Hoping to get mine out soon, though.

    neskir, HAPPY DANCE for you!!!

     


     

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  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited February 2014

    chemo brain strikes again!:) So, I am going to fix a  little salad with breaded chicken breasts for dinner.... I turn on my oven, even set the timer and you KNOW what happens next...I hear the timer go off, go to get the chicken out and it's still on the counter waiting to be heated! Singing


     

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  • QuirkyGirl
    QuirkyGirl Member Posts: 383
    edited February 2014

    charusa - I developed similar heart/breathless issues on taxotere. MO had me go to the ER to get it checked out and all is fine.  Though its annoying.  My regular doc changed my high BP med to a beta blocker and it brought the heart rate down.  Sorry you're going through this.

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  • Jodi040812
    Jodi040812 Member Posts: 383
    edited February 2014

    keepthefaith- lol!!!!!  I think we needed a laugh after we hit the wall early this week:)

    Can I get the numbing cream myself or just a doctor thing?

    I have a question- when do you get re scanned and all.  Is that before radiation? Just wondering since we are all at the halfway mark.  I thought they would check now, but nope.  I told my DH the other day that I wasn't panicking anymore.  I really have a feeling that it is working.  Or at least it will work.  And, I'll just keep fighting for every minute more I can get with my daughters.  The one year old might do me in herself!  I have some pretty funny videos of LuLu on my Cheer for Jodi FB page.  Really the last one is crazy. At least she keeps me busy right:) 

    Hoping everyone has a great week.  School is cancelled here tomorrow!  So, I will have a full house while trying to pack for Houston.  Gotta go Wednesday-Friday this week.  

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  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited February 2014

    Jodi, glad you got a good laugh! Sounds like you are in a good place with your treatment, etc. I'm sure your daughters are a great source of happiness for you. Nice that they can keep you busy and probably a good distraction at times.

    ((HUGS))

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  • Crazywabbit
    Crazywabbit Member Posts: 563
    edited February 2014

    Jody the numbing cream is a prescription. Just call you MO and ask for it to be called into alarm for you. 

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  • lorreymom
    lorreymom Member Posts: 149
    edited February 2014

    Jodi...you will love the port.  I have a PICC & love it!  Port is better tho, or so I have been told.  Less chance for infections & less care needed as it is under the skin. 

    NEskir99...I asked my MO about ovary removal.  In my case there was no necessity.  I will be on tamoxifen after chemo.  I would probably prefer ovary removal over years of drug therapy, but apparently, so I was told, we still need our ovaries.  Apparently the risk of osteoporosis is really high with ovarioectomies.  At least that is what my MO says.  I haven't asked anyone else...but intend too...later. 

    Today my MIL brought over a big bag of radishes, all washed, trimmed and ready to eat.  Bless her heart!  She said she read it helps detox the liver.  I read up on it...she is right & seems safe with chemo.  So I ate a handful today.  Hope my liver tests will be normal by Friday.  Eating radishes  can't hurt!  

    I had short periods after rounds 1 & 2, but nothing after round 3.  Hot flashes & being cold started about the time I was suppose to get my period.  I keep running for the thermometer...and it keeps reading normal.  LOL.  How long will this continue? I hope I never get my period again.  So done with that!!!  That is one side effect I actually wanted.  I can tough out these hot flashes...if that is what they are. :)

    Other than that, feeling good with no chemo pushed into my veins for over 5 weeks.  Just anxious to start back up & get it over with.  But I have resolved to take it one day & one week at a time, counting my blessings as I go. :)

    Fight on!!

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  • kjfromca
    kjfromca Member Posts: 283
    edited February 2014

    RobinLK - I am sorry that you went through so much pain last round.  

    RHGSR - I will be on Tamoxifen after chemo and I will have 6 1/2 weeks of rads.  

    MaggieB3 - Thanks for sharing with us and your encouraging words.  I wish you the best with your treatments and I hope that you keep yourself surrounded by people who will give you strength and encouragement.

    count it all joy - I am 48.  and I was perimenopausal before chemo., so I don't miss them at all. 

    Just wondering if this was adding to the hot flashes.  Must be the lack of estrogen.

    Kim

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  • joanmj58
    joanmj58 Member Posts: 68
    edited February 2014

    HI, All: been reading the posts. Only update with a treatment. Had 4 TC chemo treatment today--2 left for a total of six. Today is the Neulasta shot. Everything is under control--very minimal side effects. Worst one being fatigue. No mouth sores, no neuropathy etc. So i guess I am lucky! Hope everyone is on the upswing! We can do this. I have no radiation. Tamoxifon after round 6. Then a PET scan. Which makes me nervous!

    Joan

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  • Spoomsister
    Spoomsister Member Posts: 61
    edited February 2014

    Getting ready to go to the hospital for chemo #6, round 2 of Taxol.  I'll be 3/4 of the way done after today!  Whoo hoo!  Good luck to all of you my chemo friends.  Hope we all have a SE free week, or at least ones we can handle.  I keep telling everyone I'm like that song "You're hot then you're cold, you're yes than you're no."  I'm either freezing or sweating!  Lol!

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  • RHGSR
    RHGSR Member Posts: 774
    edited February 2014

    anyone had diarrhea with the AC? I did a little last round but this time it is awful. Started yesterday.  Nothing staying put. 

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  • Carol99
    Carol99 Member Posts: 116
    edited February 2014

    no diarrhea, constipation, like golf balls(tmi?).  No fun either way!

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  • Carol99
    Carol99 Member Posts: 116
    edited February 2014

    DJJ, what size did you order for that awesome shirt .  They only have sm. & xl, I'm normally a med., they say order up a size but not sure of XL.

    It looks like a good fit on you, and I just love it.

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  • jackieak
    jackieak Member Posts: 169
    edited February 2014

    vacation over, head back to reality today...I may run and hide at the airport or get on the plane to Maui!

    Taxol not sounding much easier than the dreaded AC, I'm getting nervous....12 weeks of feeling like crap is not what I or anyone wants to do....only time I have wished for time to fly by fast.  Wishing you all well and limited SE.

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  • ADJ
    ADJ Member Posts: 226
    edited February 2014

    jack leak,

    Taxol certainly does have possibility of side effects, but like my nurses told me, if you tolerated AC, this will seem like a breeze!

    Am looking into an Alaskan cruise in June, will already be on Vashon Island for a Seattle reunion.  My friend highly recommended Princess cruise lines.  It might be nice to forget about all of this and see the bigger picture of this beautiful world.

    Anita

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  • Crazywabbit
    Crazywabbit Member Posts: 563
    edited February 2014

    RHGSR, like NEskir99. i had the constipation problem ( same sized balls I swear, despite senna and fiber), I hear that diarrhea is common after taxol though. Cannot wait!!!!!

    I keep thinking I need a special vacation but I will not have any vacation time left when I am done with all this crap.  I do have a nice bottle of Procesco that I am saving for post chemo celebration.

    Barbara

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  • lorreymom
    lorreymom Member Posts: 149
    edited February 2014

    vacation would be awesome after all this!  Sadly, I will have to earn $$.  Our savings is going to take a beating with me being off work this long.  I am thinking of trying to work during radiation treatments...maybe radiation in morning, work in afternoon?  All depends on how tired I am.  Got to get through chemo first...not working during chemo.  Still have 12 weeks to go! 

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  • DJJ
    DJJ Member Posts: 229
    edited February 2014

    NEskir99, It's a medium.  Hopefully they'll get more sizes in.

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  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited February 2014

    DONE with chemo!! YAYSillyHeart

    Hang in there, ladies...there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Keep on keepin' on.

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  • Jodi040812
    Jodi040812 Member Posts: 383
    edited February 2014

    I head back out tomorrow:(. No chemo til Friday, but I have to meet with the doctor tomorrow afternoon for monthly check.  Then, Thursday is port consultation.  My kids are out of school tomorrow too, so fun the babysitter has to be here at 7 am do we can drive 6 hours.  At least they will be home and less to worry about.  

    Someone mention diarrhea with taxol.  I had cramping and diarrhea with my first two doses.  Just one trip to the bathroom though not multiple ones:). No tummy issues after taxol 2!  Best of luck ladies!

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  • Crazywabbit
    Crazywabbit Member Posts: 563
    edited February 2014

    keepthefaith.  Big congratulations on finishing. What a relief it must be. Do you start rads next or are you totally done?

    I am counting down until last one on May 1.

    Barbara

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  • J4DC
    J4DC Member Posts: 80
    edited February 2014

    just catching up the post. Kimmie and ADJ, you look so beautiful!! Love the t shirt! 

    Kimmie, your wig looks great! I can't tell at all. I hate my wig, it's hot, and just looks like a wig... 

    Kim, I had my period right at the first AC day in Dec. it was normal 5 days and after that, hasn't returned. I am 43 and I would be more than happy it's gone forever, but it sounds like it may come back again after chemo. Enjoy the time right now., but not enjoy hot sweat and keep waking up at night- very annoying.

    RobinK, sorry to hear you have hard time on your taxol. I hope you feel better and thanks for giving us some perspectives. Going to 1st weekly taxol this Friday, I am definitely nervous. I am able to work during AC, I hope it continues. 

    I have a question: do people still do radiotherapy if they had BMX? My doctor seems to think having radiotherapy on top of surgery may be better. I thought I could avoid radiotherapy if going through BMX. Just feel depressed about all these never ending choices. Thanks! 

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  • RobinLK
    RobinLK Member Posts: 840
    edited February 2014

    I had MX and will still be having radiation. 9 positive nodes is why, for me. 

    Thank you all for the positive thoughts. The pain sucks, but it is only one 24 hour period per week. Hopefully it stays at that and does not get any worse. 

    Obviously in a much better place than when I posted last. 😄 

    Minimal SEs wished for all!  

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  • jackieak
    jackieak Member Posts: 169
    edited February 2014

    if I can do AC I can do a Taxol, I just need to whine about it.  I had bouts of severe cramping and runs on AC, about 3-4 days after each one, it was like I was punched in the stomach and it all came out....otherwise it was constipation if I didn't use the senna and fiber tablets.  

    I think we all need a long extended vacation after all this punishment...I just got home and now I'm obsessing over not traveling again until June....but I will make a plan and have something to look forward to.  As for now back to work, and blood draws, and weekly chemo, and weekly physical therapy, maybe my hair will start growing which would be nice, it has grown this last week.

    Keepthefaith, so very happy you are done with chemo!  There is an end to this madness!

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