Starting Chemo in December 2013

congrats Neskir99 and keepthefaith! so happy for y'all. Just remember whatever side effects you get-this will be the last time

Thanks ladies!  Rads in 4-5 weeks.

2-boys, I would say make sure you stay on top of any SE's if/once they start. Get your MO to give you something if you need it. Don't suffer through them. There is probably something for anything you may get. Keep in mind everyones' reaction will be different. STAY HYDRATED!. Drink lots of water the day before and days following chemo. I got Smart Water also, that has electrolytes in it. If you will be getting a Neulasta shot, take 24 hr Claritin the day before, day of and a few days after to help alleviate any pain it may cause. The Neulasta shot will help get your WBC's back to normal faster. The N shot expands your bone marrow in an effort to re-produce your WBC's and that is what may cause pain. I also found that a hot shower or heating pad may help. The 2nd and 3rd shots didn't seem as bad for me. Your MO will probably give you info on the NADIR period, when your blood counts drop. Make sure you wash your hands, use sanitizer often, stay away from sick people, etc. during that time. My MO had me get a flu shot prior. I think she wanted it done 2 wks ahead...?  I also went to the dentist. You will probably want to stay away from spicey foods, etc at least until you know what you can tolerate. I didn't have any nausea, but did get some heartburn my 3rd round. Eat small portions throughout the day. I was most nervous before my first round, but I think it eases after that, knowing what you can expect. My MO gave me Ambien to help with sleep and Lorezepam for nausea/anxiety; she gave me other RX's also, but haven't had to use them.  Just know that we are here for you and there is someone on the forum that has had everything possible to guide you through it! My SE's have been manageable and overall, it really hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. I hope your experience is alike or better! Remember, this is about YOU! Let your loved ones and friends help you when they can. Wishing you well, keep us posted!

wahoooooooo to the ladies done with chemo !! a big cheers and a hug coming your way.

Im starting to get a little bothered by the little bit of numbness in the fingers and the toes.  Hairstyling and numbness in hands is not a good combo.  uuggghhhh.... one side effect I could have done without.

Congratulations to you ladies who are all done!  That must feel amazing!!!

Congrats!!!!! to the ladies who completed chemo. Time for celebration!

thanks lorreymom and robink for your information. My bc is triple negative, so no target therapy. I will see a RO on Friday. Let's see what he says. Some hopefully good news for ladies going for taxol. My MO said the hair may start coming back a month into taxol. I can't wait. I found this video and it really shows there is light (hair ) at the end of the tunnel. Take care, everybody!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jPljZN3tAds

Congratulations to all those who are finished!!! You give us hope there really is an end!!! Today I go for my last AC and will find out what my schedule is for phase 2 which is taxol. That was a great video on hair regrowth...mine has been growing back and getting darker but I am sure I will lose that little bit that is trying. It was kind of spiky in texture but as it got longer it is now softer. I so wished I had paid more attention when I had my appointment I would already know some of these answers...I am sure she said I would be in chemo for 24 weeks but then also said she might take me down to 3 instead of 4 at the end....I should have taken notes but that is hindsight now...In the beginning I just felt like a sheep being led to slaughter, convinced I was given the worst possible results being triple neg...but I looked around at my family, my kids, my grandkids and I knew I had to fight, I had to do whatever it took to keep me here for them....so I go and try to push the fears out of my head. Good luck to everyone else that is scheduled today, I know there are a few of us on the same schedule!!!

Charlotte

jackieak,  I a sitting inthe infusion center getting taxol#1. So far so good.  They are going slowly and checking BP, pulse every 15 min and increasing the rate, about 1/3 done. Good luck to others getting chemo today.  Snow here but only about 2 niches so far. 

Barbara

thinking of all you ladies getting taxol & other chemos today.  Hopefully I will start my taxol tomorrow!!  

Fight on!! 

lorreymom, I will have my taxol#1 tomorrow too. I will be thinking about you. Take care!!!

Good luck taxol ladies!  Jackie - great news on the genetic testing!!

I have my last TC tomorrow and am dreading how bad it will make me feel but thrilled its almost over.

QG, YAY on your last TX tomorrow. Hope it goes well!

I am wired on steroids right now, too and haven't slept since Monday...grrrr.

BUT, this is the LAST time!

Follow up with MO in 3 wks, then on to rads...

Day went well, there about 2 hours.  I have been knocked out for a few hours from the Benadryl.  Odd how our pre meds are different.  I had no pre steroid only in my IV with Pepcid and Benadryl.  I took one 4mg zophran and that was it for pills.  I take no other meds now per Dr, I am glad for that.   I Am groggy from Benadryl still and have a bit of a headache.

Thanks all for the encouragement, bring on feel good days ahead!!

jackieak & Blessedw2  - I hope this Taxol is easier on you.  Last dose of Taxol, I needed to take hydrocodone one of the days, hopefully I will not for this round.   I am taking my compazine for a couple of days, just because I am paranoid.   The positive is that it is so much easier on my stomach than the AC.

Blessedw2 - That's a good question re the Tamoxifen.  I don't know about drug interactions with Zoloft, but can understand your anxiety.  I have family members and close friends who need to take certain meds and would not want to have to change them, as it is hard to find the right drugs that work with your body.  I hope your MO finds a solution that will work well for you.  Angry, scared, frustrated, just wanting my old life back, those are typical thoughts going through my mind on a daily basis.  Cyber hug to you.

Kim

Good afternoon sisters, Had my last AC yesterday and left feeling a bit groggy like I always to from the cytoxan since I don't get benedryl but very triumphant. Had a physical with my oncologist and she felt nothing...not the tumor in my breast nor the large ones I had under my armpit so I was very happy with the results that at least these rounds of the beast shrunk them enough so they can't even be felt. We talked about my anxiety issues with the taxol and she believes I will fly through it and she put a plan in place and if by any chance I have a problem there is an alternate I believe taxetere that she is ok with. Also she told me not to take my regular prescribed xanax that she will give me ativan in my IV which she says will make me very comfortable since once again no benedrayl for me. She wants me to go see a surgeon since the first one I saw I did not click with him nor his office staff. Need to have a plan in place since I move on to 4 rounds of taxol in 3 weeks, same schedule as the AC, every 3 weeks. I go for my shot in a couple of hours and know my weekend will be spent mostly on the couch watching tv but thats ok. I guess I need to start thinking surgical options. Do the tumors every shrink and just go away after all this chemo, since they can't be felt no more? If they shrink is a lumpectomy and I know in my case some node removal is needed an option. I think I know in my heart since I am triple neg the most aggressive thing to do is a bilat mastectomy but yet I see in that thread women still have reaccurrance. I am going to be 60 next October but my biggest thing is my daughter. I have a single daughter with 4 kids and she was dx before I was with uterine ca but she had a procedure where they "burned out" (sorry forget the name of the procedure) the tissues. Everything looked good for a while then after I was dx she started to have complications and her doctor wants her to have a hysterectomy. I was her babysitter for her 2 little ones before I was dx and she changed her shift where she works midnights 12 hour shifts over the weekends so to help me out with transportation and errands. So whatever I decide to do for me I want to be able to get on my feet asap so she can get started on her. The strangest thing was that when she told me about her I prayed and I cried to God to heal her, that she had 4 babies depending on her and if need be pass the cup to me...she had her surgery and I got dx with my cancer and I thought God answered my prayers but maybe He is just prepping me to help her during a journey I don't want her to have to take.

Happy Valentine's day to all and I hope you all have nice relaxing weekends with loved ones.

Charlotte

charusa, congrats on finishing your AC! I hope you find a surgeon that will be a good fit for you. That is so important. Your post brought tears to my eyes...I am a Grandma too and I know how much those grandbabies mean. I hope your daughter and you both find healing soon. Sending hugs:)