Starting Chemo in April 2014

Hi all, 

New here and new to BC...I have been strong, weak and weepy through it all and just got the news that I need chemo  not something I wanted to do. I was angry that day...the day I expected to see my MO then my RO and set up radiation, but still awaiting the final pathology report my MO says lets send off for the Oncotype test...more waiting! UGH! 

My journey so far... I am 44 now(had a bday but didn't really celebrate since BC) 1 mammy at 42 found 2 nodes that were fine. 2nd mammy 1/30/got the call back again, I thought oh it's just them nodes again... nope! They saw the same 2 nodes and a strange spot on the right then another mass on the left..UGH! So now it was biopsy time and since the spot on the right couldn't be seen by unsound I had to do a streotactic mammy which I had to do the upright since I can't lay flat on my tummy due to my Chiari malformation... another thing I deal with daily... anyway, biopsies done and yep that spot on the right was IDC and the nodes were clear as well as the mass on the left but the mass was suspicious of another type of growth that could turn into a cancer, so surgery time...I decided on Lumpectomy's.  After a very long 3 weeks the final path comes in and I am stage 2 grade 2 with 1 micro cell found in one node and this is cause for chemo...? my onco score is 16 which is low so I thought no chemo? but since there's a chance of a cell or so roaming around my MO says chemo 4 rounds of TC each 3 weeks apart then 6 weeks radiation then 5 yrs or so on Tamoxifin... I have not taken meds of any kind for the past 6 years, I have a fear of side effects and now I have to take all this toxic stuff to save my life.  Wow! So I worry about what chemo will do to me and how I will get through, any advice or info is so greatly appreciated!  Hugs and strength to you all!  Chemo for me begins 4/14/14

hi everyone, sorry you have all had to join, but your April group looks like a great group, and I have found this site and the different groups so helpful . I joined the February 2014 group, and just reading through , as  I am finishing (last chemo April 11) . Just want to say you will all get through this...and I had similar diagnosis as a lot of you and some I have the same chemo regime. 

There will definitely be days where you are really tired  or achey , but it is doable. Please remember to phone your oncologist/ nurse team for any side effects you are struggling with. They have meds.and other helpful advice to get you through...you should never suffer.

The shopping list on the chemo thread , really helped me as well. Some things I have not had to use , but glad I had it just incase. (Peace of mind). I have not experienced any nausea yet...but I asked for extra anti nausea to take.

For anyone getting the Neulasta shot, regular Claritin 24 hour will help with the bone aches and pains. I took it the morning of the shot , then (for me) , five days after. The first shot was the worst, and the last two not as bad.  First infusion /shot I felt like I was getting the flu, the last two infusions/shot more tired, less aches and pains, bloated feeling through all three so far...but doable. 

I wear ice mitts on my hands and ice slippers for the taxotere treatment (really cold) to protect. My nail beds...so far hanging in there. I chose not to wear the ice cap on the head...more scared of cancer spreading than loosing hair.... But that's me. I lost most of my hair around day 18, started thinning around day 14. I have a wig ( which I get lots of compliments on) , but prefer to wear hats , more comfy. I wear the wig , mainly for school activities for the kids and around their friends.  My kids are 14 and 10.I also suck on ice during that part of treatment to help protect my mouth.

So far, one part that bothers me more than I thought it would , is taste buds changing/being affected. Each treatment , there are days that everything taste like wet socks...I have lots of soups , Mac and cheese...even plain cheesecake ..to try and find something that taste kinda normal. For me it turned into a carb and sugar diet at times... But after I am done I figure I can be healthy.

This is a great place for advice , questions, venting, sharing laughter and tears... I believe for me that this site made the whole BC thing tolerable , and just easier to get through. 

I just want to say  you will get through this , it is doable and it was February when I started and my last one is next week....actually excited.  The support here from this site and your April group will help. 

Hugs to all of you and wishing you all the best and the patience and strength to get through it.

Add me to the group

I start chemo on Wednesday, April 9, with my port going in on Tuesday.  I was diagnosed with IDC on January 3, had my lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed February 11, and now I'm finally on to getting chemotherapy.  Was praying that I could skip chemo, but with two positive lymph nodes, I could not avoid it.  

72 hours from now I'll be on my way to the infusion department, and I am so very, very nervous.  We all are, I'm sure of it.  I'm a stay at home mom, and I have three children, ages 15, 13, and 11.   I've been very open with them about this process, and they are very supportive.  My husband is very supportive too, although I worry about all the pressure this puts on him.  Last night I lightened my somber mood with a poll: which wig should I buy?  I had them vote in secret if I should go with a wig similar to my natural hair, or have a little fun and do some longer waves...they loved it, and so did I  

We moved from Minnesota to the Tulsa, OK area last July, and honestly, we have few friends.  This makes it harder than if I had been diagnosed last year when we were surrounded by friends and family.  Before we moved, I would not have doubted that friends and neighbors would help out with transporting the kids to and from school and activities, or that I might even have visitors.  Now, however, it's just the five of us, and it puts so much strain on the day to day when I am out of commission.  

I'm glad I have this discussion board to help me keep it together...we are all here for each other

My first day of chemo is tomorrow, Adriamycin/Cytoxan. Have a bag of reading material and snacks and a blanket ready to go with me. My hubby is loading up my old ipod with some good listening music and podcasts. Hoping I will feel well enough to drive myself afterwards. My Mom was going to go with me, but her brother just passed away and she needs to be at the visitation instead. She feels terrible. But the MO told me that I should be ok to drive to and from all of my treatments, so guess we will see. I am also scheduled for my Look Good Feel Better session after my chemo, so I really hope I feel up to that too! 

Wishing all of you the best as you continue your treatments and prepare to get started. We can do this! One day at time!

Welcome, Swissmiss. I'm just a little way south of you in north TX. We have moved quite a bit over the years and I know how hard it can be to create a new network of friends.  One thing that has always struck me is how much people do want help whether it's telling you about all their favorite places or driving kids to an activity.  Is there a nurse navigator at your hospital?  Maybe she/he can put you in touch with a support group in your area.  I love that you included your family in voting for your wig.  Like you, I am at home with my kids, 15 and 12. I homeschool them too, so I am trying to include them in what's going on as much as possible.  In the past two months they have learned so much.  I am trying to make them feel like partners in keeping the house and making things nice since I can no longer do it all.  Doing laundry and cooking dinner is a lot more fun these days. It has become a real team effort.  

I will be thinking of you and Wampuscat and all the l aides starting chemo this week.  Also thank you so much to those who have shared their experience so far. I don't have my start date yet as I had to have surgery again on Friday.  But I do have chemo training and my echo cardiogram on Thursday.

All of you starting today - hope all goes well -Wampuscat - willl be in your footsteps on the 18th - so will be reading yours posts for hints.

ChrissyLB - I agree with you in theory on not allowing your insurance company to dictate your treatment - I feel the same way but am not in a position to pay myself.  I wish you luck in getting switched and if you do - let us know how you did that!!

Getting my port placed April 15th at 445 pm.   Not looking forward to someone cutting me yet again lol

ChrissyLB- I know there are chemo drugs the FDA considers 'first line of defense' and that may be the issue more than the insurance company.  A good MO can petition to use other drugs if they have proven to be effective but I don't know what their leeway is. A great question to ask.  I think its amazing that you have done this much research and have become you own advocate!  Always trust your spidey sense.

Swissmiss- I love that you have included your kids.  I let my daughter shave my head and we went wig shopping together and she tried them on too, including some really wild ones.   

Those of you waiting to start, I know it can feel like a train heading straight for you and all you want to do is turn and run.  My first time through it just didn't make sense to me that I was going to poison my body when I didn't feel sick.  My brain had a hard time wrapping around that.  You've got to know your sneaky microscopic enemy and fight it on its level.  That is what you are doing.   

I know everyone is worried about SE's.  My experience is that they come and go.  I did have a regularly runny nose the first go round.  Should have bought stock in Kleenex.

Well, I had my port placed today and my chemo starts tomorrow. My hubby is making me a big breakfast, and my mother in law will be going to my first chemo session with me. I am taking a  recorder for all the instructions plus snacks, tablet, and a good book. I found a recipe for ginger tea to help fight off nausea the first day. I guess that I am as prepared as I will be. 

First day of AC yesterday went pretty well. Only 3 AC's left to go, then 12 weekly Taxol. No adverse reactions to any of the pre-meds other than a little drowsiness and feeling a little loopy in the head. They told me the benadryl could make me sleepy. Took about 2 1/2 hours for my first time. I do definitely have the dry metal mouth already. Tried some Biotene dry mouthrinse and that seems to help. Also sucking on mints and chewing gum helps. Not feeling nauseous but they recommended starting my nausea pills first thing today. Drinking lots of fluids to flush my system. I drank 3 bottles of water just during my treatment time. Plus they have you on IV fluids the entire time too. So lots of bathroom trips but if that's the worst I'll take it. Will see how the remainder of the week goes. Taking it one day at a time. I will go back in for blood work and my Neulasta shot today. They have suggested I take Aleve and Claritin right away to counter any bone pain for 2 days following the shot. 

My Look Good Feel Better session last night was very enjoyable. There was a great bunch of ladies there at all different stages of their diagnosis and treatment. It was great to be able to connect to them and ask questions among ourselves. Some great makeup pointers, even though I've never worn much makeup and lots of nice free product. Also some great cap and scarf ideas for headcovers. If you haven't signed up for one yet, I would highly recommend it. 

Praying that all of you are doing well with your treatments this week!

Hi Linda, yes I was given Emend yesterday at my first treatment with AC. I'm not sure if it will be with Taxol yet or not. Also not sure on the Copay amount as we have an HSA high deductible plan and since we have met our deductible already, it's my understanding that all drugs are covered 100% for the remainder of the year. Sorry, not much help for you. 

Hello, April Ladies!  I thought it was time to come out of lurker mode and say hello, since I have a Chemo Start date of Apr 24th.  My best wishes to all of you who have already started, or will be starting soon.

I was scheduled to start Chemo on Apr 7th, but both my surgeon and RO said I was a good candidate for the SAVI implant and corresponding 1 week of high dose rate radiation.  I've finished 2 days of radiation and have 6 treatments left (2 x day for 5 days).

Oh - I am scheduled for four treatments of TC, at 3 wk intervals.

I met with my oncologist yesterday for the first time. I had a lumpectomy on March 12 which was four weeks ago today. My cancer was three positive ER, PR and Her2, no lymph nodes were involved.  I was under the impression I was having the 7 weeks of radiation then chemo, which I am so scared of. But after my oncologist apt I was told to start chemo first for 6 sessions every three weeks for an 18 week period. This has m upset beyond belief. I am literally sitting here crying typing this. I don't understand any of this I don't wont the chemo, didn't want this cancer and don't know how to cope with it. I feel that the treatments will kill me and no one wants to believe me. I am sorry for venting but I am beyond upset. I don't think the medical professionals know what they are doing as how is the protocol they same for everybody as not everybody is the same.

Hi ColdinCanada. Thanks so much for posting about your experience. I start the same cocktail on April 23 and it was really helpful to see what you went through. Do you have any hope that the side effects will ease up over time, or is this how it will be each time?

shellbell1963: It's so hard to wrap your head around Chemo, isn't it? It's that damn HER2+ result. I was initially told that a mastectomy would cure all - no further treatment needed. And here I am 2 months later, a uniboob, and feeling like crap from the chemo. The HER2+ pathology changes everything. I try to keep telling  myself to be thankful that this is happening to me NOW and not 20 years ago, when there was no Herceptin, and Chemo was a much scarier thing, and my prognosis would have been very, very poor. And I'll be honest, sometimes I tell myself to SHUT UP. Hang in there. The ladies on these boards are very, very helpful and very, very supportive. 

Longislandl8y: "it was far less troublesome than I thought it would be". I KNOW, right? I don't know exactly what I was expecting, but it all felt pretty...ordinary. 

EverForward: I sincerely HOPE that the side effects for the next round will be a little easier. For me, I'm not very big, and I don't normally take meds for anything, so when I DO have to take something, even just an antibiotic, my body REACTS in a big way. So I am hoping that once we adjust meds, and my body gets used to the idea of me being medicated, things will smooth out. I could be totally wrong though. Plus, this is all so individual - everyone reacts just a little bit differently. I, personally, was hoping I would be one of THOSE WOMEN who just went about her daily routines without a blip. But, since I'm NOT, I'm now hoping to be one of those women who gets all the kinks worked out in the first round and feels great for the remaining five. Always need to have something to look forward to, right?