Starting Chemo October 2014

hyphencollins, TC it is. Once every 3 weeks x 4 rounds. A month off then rads 5 days/week for 6.5 weeks, supraclavicular to ribs, breast and axilla. My tumor was a low rider, sat on the bra line and over the ribs. I found it, mammogram couldn't see it because it was so low. I'm kinda shocked it's actually a BC. 

Goes to the importance of routine self-exams. Breast surgeon said we woman have breast tissue from collar bone to ribs and axilla to sternum. I never knew that! I'm a lucky one to have just stumbled across my little nodule.

Hey y'all.  

I'm Wendee, home health physical therapist, personal trainer, mom to three (12,10,8) , and have a fantastic loving husband.  

No hx of CA in my family.  But the amt of stress that I've been over the last three years combined with the horrible coping strategies (do as I say, not as I do!) I employed, I was not too surprised when I was diagnosed.

I start chemo Oct 2.  Taxotere and cytoxan, 4 cycles.  My mo and her PA have me set up with four Pre and post meds.  Plus advised claritin for the potential bone pain.  My pa spent 2+/hours with me and I'm somewhat confused as to the timing of the meds.  I guess I'll figure it out as Walmart called to say the Rx are ready (another slap of reality)

I'm going to bring ginger water or ginger tea, ice to chew, a green smoothie or juice, plus my paperwork to keep busy.  I've got 4 new zen books that I'm psyched to read.  I want to ice my hands/fingers but haven't figured that one out yet.  Not going to shell out for cold caps.

What I'd really love is for someone to walk me step-by-step through what my first day will be like.

Anyone else get anxiety when you have to talk to a member of your "team".  I honestly cuss when I get off the phone with them.

Hello Ladies - I wanted to stop by and tell you all - You've got this and you will beat it down.  I started chemo last year on October 9th.  I have my final herceptin on October 8th. I can tell you my hardest day was the day I decided to shave my head.  It was an emotional evening in my house but the next morning I felt so much better. I was not great at journaling or blogging and I really wanted to be.  I kept a calendar with me always and every day wrote down how I felt.  That really helped me 3 weeks later when I met with my MO again. My chemo bag was stuffed full as if I was going on a weekend trip.  After the first treatment I knew what I needed to make my time go by.  I was fortunate enough to have my husband by my side at every treatment.  You will get to know your body better than ever before.  I could tell after 6 weeks if I had low potassium and magnesium.  I would tell my MO's nurse my symptoms and she would do my bloodwork in the office as a rush so the treatment area would know if I needed a bag of each added to the day.  I was never wrong.  

A few pieces of advice - do not over do it on our good days. And when I had one of my worst days my favorite nurse told me to stop being wonder woman and take the pills (pain) they gave me because they do not give you these prescriptions because they are out of tootsie rolls. 

You are all in my prayers. #kickcancersa$$

Hi Kerensa and ladies: I also start chemo but in mid October and the MO hasn't told me yet what the regimen of drugs will be, other than Herceptin. I had 2 different tumors-1 ER+ and PR+ and 1Her2+. Both were Stage 1. I am very nervous re nausea, vomiting and neuropathy. I am post menopausal, 54 years old.  I had my port installed during lumpectomy surgeries. For those who haven't done so, consider it as it supposedly saves you a lot of aggravation. Btw, does anyone know the name of the drug that is called "Red Devil"? Good luck to all of the October ladies!

Just wanted to let everyone know you can get a free head wrap at goodwishesscarves.org. No strings attached. One of the few perks of cancer.

Busy day!

Got my CT scan, bone scan and echo done today. I'll probably be seeing a lot of the Echo girls given the side effects of the Adriamycin.  Thank you Zumba classes for keeping my heart strong.  My nurse told me that the Adriamycin is pushed in and a nurse stays with you because it can cause such significant damage to the skin if it comes out of the vein.  Everything on go for Wednesday I guess.  In between the bone scan and the echo I went wig shopping and got the cutest little wig.  It even looks good on me.  I'll have to think about coloring my hair sometime after it comes back in.   We've got to have fun when we can.  Thanks for scarf info okkim and kerensa.  Try out happy chemo.com, too.

Many hugs to all the October girls (and guys?).

Thanks to all the veterans popping by to encourage, it is really helpful.  

I meet with my doctor tomorrow to sign the consents and get the prescriptions that I need.  My husband just started a new job (we are really happy about that but the timing is a challenge...) and so we're switching insurance Oct 1.  Of course, chemo starts Oct 2 so I spent a chunk of time at work trying to make sure the referrals and preauthorizations will be set with the new insurance.  Hopefully there will be no problems.  We spent this weekend out and about with the kids - had a great time.   

My hats came in and I'm ordering my wig tomorrow.  I'm a little stressed I haven't gotten my hair cut yet.  It is super long (as an aside, with terrible roots - I postponed my last cut and foil until I was sure I wouldn't need chemo -- guess I saved myself a few bucks there ) and I need it shorter before it starts falling out.  I know I'll have a bit of time after my first treatment but am concerned about when I'll find the time for it! 

Ellie - Good suggestion about tomorrow - what will you be doing?

Hope everyone is hanging in there!

I won't lie, I'm getting nervous each day that goes by, but I took the advice of one of the gals here and asked to take a tour of the chemo area. I'm scheduled for a quick tour before my port surgery on Wednesday so I feel a bit better, maybe it will allay some of my nerves.

I'm doing catch-up lunches with old coworkers tomorrow as well as a mani/pedi on Thurs before my chemo on Fri.

Becca!  Happy to hear about your new doc.  Good for you!

Wanted to wish everyone well who has a scan coming up.

Hi Girls!

Well, the night before the infusion was a nightmare. Had to take 5 pills (steroids) at 12:30 and then 5 more at 6:30 for my 10:30 infusion. By 1:30 I awoke with my chest feeling an atomic bomb had exploded! My veins felt like Alka seltzer burning in them! My heart was pounding out of my chest! I thought steroids made you feel good?  So I sat on a kitchen chair waiting for some relief, while writing down all my maladies to tell the oncologist at 10:30. Things had calmed down by 3:30 so I went back to bed. At 4:30 awakened again with a second round of explosions! Got up and just laid my head on the kitchen counter praying to die! I laid there until 6:00 knowing that in 1/2 hour I had to take the second round of 5 pills! I thought of dumping half the pills down the sink but I knew my husband would ask if I had taken all my pills and I would have to reply "What do you think!" 

At that moment I decided I could not take another one of those pills and called the on-call Dr. at MSK and told my story of woe. I asked how in the world could I take yet 5 more of these pills!? She said "Don't" that I would be getting more steroids in my IV and that they would have to regulate or stop the amount the would give me. Yay!!

So off to my infusion, took an anti-anxiety pill, put EMLA cream and Saran Wrap on my port. Arrived on time had my finger blood stick and was shown to the infusion nurse. Took my blood pressure etc. and told me I would have to wait at least a 1/2 hr until I calmed down cause my blood pressure was sky high and my pulse was 130! They told me to BREATH.... About 1/2 hour later they checked my vitals again and said I was a little better so they would begin. The nurse swabbed the port, told me to take a deep breath and plunged the nail (oops I mean needle) through the port! Nothing, no pain, no blood squirting, no "sorry I'll have to try again". It was painless, and I was connected!

It took 5-1/2 hours for my first infusion. First they gave me steroids, Pepcid, ant-psychotic meds ( just kidding) but they did plug in some Ativan to calm me down with the Benedryl. Then they gave me the Herceptin and finally the Taxol. A very long day. No S/E's immediately accept for the Benedryl. It gave me restless leg syndrome where I couldn't keep my legs still! Like Michael Fox with his arms. Really weird! They said they would have to discontinue the Benedryl but replace it with something else in their next concoction!

Long story short- not a bad day. If it hadn't been for the prior night's horror it would have been pretty good. The nurse was great. The infusion practically pain free. Side.effects so far this morning are slight diarrhea and my face and chest are beet red like bad sunburn but no temperature. Hopefully, it won't get worse as the week goes on but time will tell.

Hopefully all of you will have as good or better results!

Oh and good luck speedcat88, prncesmommy, efeuer777 , I hope all goes well with no bumps.

Thanks to everyone that is detailing their experiences.  

I ordered a scarf, and started looking at wigs.  I guess I'm just going to go with the flow.  I don't want my patients to feel uncomfortable with my bald head, but won't a wig be a real PITA? Plus I just can't see bench pressing and squatting with one on lol. 

Started a little calendar for my meds .  I've never had "meds" before, so this is new.  I have to start my dexameth tomorrow at 4 a.m. so my p.m. dose doesn't interfere with sleep.  Then claritin and the anti-nausea pill just before infusion on Thursday.  I'm going to tell them I want to do my own Neulasta.  

I'm going through all my supplements and putting aside the antioxidants.  Keeping the immune boosters.  

Blessings to everyone scheduled for tomorrow.