Starting Chemo in April 2014

Brigadoon,  I just read that review on the gummy bears...hilarious!!!!

hi i am looking for answers too- i had a mastectomy on my right breast April 28th have not felt right since-i have HER2 neo positive they want to start Chemo July 3rd i have to do Chemo once a week for 3 months and then Taxpol for 12 weeks every week and then Herceptin for 52 weeks every week- does anyone else have to do this and has anyone gotten 2nd opinions? or even thought of doing alternative medicine? i am terrified of chemo cause i am just starting to feel good and now i am going to be sick for 3 mths so not happy about that at all

brigadoon: My heart rate has always been high too, but normally around the low 80s. Hey, thanks for that link to the Amazon reviews for the gummy bears. My daughter & I both had a good laugh reading them.  

Lilyrose: I guess a rapid heart rate is just another SE for us. It's just scary to me. I can't wait until chemo is over so I can do normal activities again!

Jen I started with implants and then went with a hip flap. If you nap have any questions let me know. I can give you the pros and Von's of both of these. 

I know what you mean love.  My dr tells me I'm done and I'm so nervous about that while at the same time I'm thrilled.  Only 3 infusions when 6 is the norm?  As much as I hate this, I want to do what I can now to prevent recurrence.  I'm between a rock and hard place, just trying to be happy that she thinks I'm done.  But I'm still getting another opinion....

I could have written your post, LovebeingNana.  Even though no.3 wasn't worse than the others, I have been so tired, I can't imagine doing it again - I'm a week behind you.  Took an Ativan to help the sleep tonight, since I keep thinking about recurrence and questioning treatments to date.  This is unusual for me, but perhaps a normal part of the process?

Took a xanax and still can't sleep.  ...

I'm in the chair as I type...wish I was brave enough to post a photo

It's a good day so far...taking a break from reading my latest book: Outlander. Thanks, Ladies for the recommendation, I'm hooked already and I'm only on chapter 4!

My new oncologist prescribed some cough medicine and I've been sleeping well, except for dealing with my new night sweats  I also received a new rx pain medicine (Norco) for the anticipated joint pain from my Taxol infusion.  He also said ibuprofen is probably the best OTC for this type of pain.  And I'm determined to stay ahead of the C, and hoping D skips me altogether this time around.  I felt like either the Taxol or the steroids, along with the pain meds, just completely stops my entire gastrointestinal function...such a lovely new side effect, isn't it?  Crossing my fingers the SE's can be better tolerated for this infusion. 

Wishing you all a wonderful week with no SE's! 

Ricanbabe,  Not everyone gets really sick on chemo.  I'm 67 and have had relatively minor SEs from 4 DD rounds of AC and, so far, 7 weekly rounds of Taxol.  I consider myself one of the lucky ones and am grateful this has been my experience.  My heart goes out to the brave ladies here whose experience has been otherwise.  I think everyone is pretty much terrified of chemo before they begin, but please know that some lucky ones like me have a relatively easy time of it.  I have exercised fairly strenuously every day since I've been in treatment.  I was an avid exerciser before bc, so I'm sure that helped.   I didn't join the threads here until well after chemo was underway.  I have two friends who had been through the same chemo as me for bc - one 12 years ago & one 23 years ago.  The one who was first dx'ed 23 yrs ago, had a recurrence 17 years ago.  Both are completely cancer free today.  Both of them had relatively minor SEs like me.  I held onto their experiences for dear life.  It really helped me - just knowing there were some women out there who did relatively well.  Best of luck to you.

Ladies! I just caught up on a whole lot of posts here! It's been an eventful week!

First of all, LINDA! Hooray for clear scans! I am SO HAPPY for you. I paused and did a little happy dance when I read your post. Awesome stuff.

Brigadoon, the gummy bears. Ba ha ha ha ha ha! Thanks so much for the belly laughs today. Too funny.

Nana, Yay for the LAST ROUND!  But I totally get the whole "not being ready" thing. I have two rounds left, and while I'm super excited to be done, I'm also worrying and worrying about whether everything I've done will be enough to keep me alive to watch my babies grow up. Cancer is just so unpredictable, and really, just so UNKNOWN. So, YEAH, I get you. Excited to be done, dreading the side effects, and SCARED that it all will be for naught. Sending hugs and prayers your way. Praying especially that the last round will be totally anti-climactic and that cancer will leave you alone from now on.

Ricanbabe - I second what Linda said. Her2+ cancer is not something to mess around with, and we are so SO fortunate to now have a targeted therapy to treat it. Herceptin is a God-Send; it really, REALLY is. Chemo is a matter of personal choice, so get a second opinion if you wish, but it sounds like your MO has given you pretty good advice regarding the standard treatment. My cancer was also HER2+, and chemo was a no-brainer for me. I just turned 39, I have a husband and 2 children, and there was NO WAY I was going to give cancer the upper hand. As hellish as chemo side-effects have been (and I have had them ALL!), it is DOABLE. And in the end, I will know I did everything I possibly could to win the fight. Good luck with your decision.

Ah, Ladies, the TUMMY TROUBLES, right? I feel like my entire digestive system is rebelling. It not C, then D, then back to C, followed by D. And then there's the ever-present queasiness, stomach cramps, and BLOATING. Plus the dry mouth/burnt tongue and food aversions - makes eating kinda tough. Oh yeah, good times, right?

Speaking of food, you know those little apple sauces you can get - they come in a whole bunch of flavours, all of which taste like baby food? WELL, if you FREEZE them, they taste not so bad AND feel awesome on a chemo tongue. WIN!

I discovered this weekend that I only have SIX WEEKS left of chemo! In just SIX WEEKS, I will have crawled out of the chemo fog for the very LAST TIME. And six weeks really isn't so long. It's NOT. And now I'm getting all excited.  

Oh, and we test drove the Honda Pilot yesterday. I think I'm in love. I told my husband I want it delivered in SIX WEEKS. With a big bow on it. And a "Congratulations! You're Finished Chemo banner". And maybe a choir. 

I kind of like being bald, it's so cool and my hair is never messy.  No shampoo needed.

I just realized this thread began in April and June is more than half way over!  I see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Linda - Wonderful News

LongIsland- I have heard loosing nails is a se of chemo. I was very worried about it before I started, but I never lost a single nail. 

So I am now two weeks and a day past my last chemo. Neuropathy in my feet seems to be doing better at least I do not have the pain anymore. My biggest issue is weakness. I can't seem to walk 50 feet before my legs feel as if I have run a marathon. Also I have muscle twitches little ones that constantly move all over eyes, feet, stomach oh and they never stop ever. The MO said I have at least another week before the SE's stop. Darn!

Hi Golfingirl, OMG I am so scared - start next Thursday.  Never had a thing wrong with me, never took a pill, test or had surgery.  This came all at once!  What is the Tough that you are finding with the Chemo?  I do understand that we are all different but it's good to listen to others.  Thanks, VeraAnn

You look so young and healthy!  Congrats!

Big Applause and many congrats to you, Nana, for finishing!  Wishing you the best in the upcoming weeks.