Starting Chemo February 2015

Thanks Chloesmom for starting the February 2015 forum!

For you, and all who join in the following month, we'd like to point out some helpful links, starting with the main Breastcancer.org site's section on Chemotherapy, including what to expect, types of chemo meds, and side effect management.

There are some really helpful key threads here in the Chemo forum too!

Great tips and practical advice on the following discussion board threads:

• Tips for getting through chemotherapy
• More Tips (and a Shopping List) for Getting Through Chemo
• PORT PLACEMENT: Detailed description of process
• Head Covering Options for Hair Loss
• wig advice
• Cold Cap Users Past and Present, to Save Hair

Also, Last Month's Chemo thread might be informative!

Hope you find this helpful!

--Your Mods

Hi Chloesmom,

I am also starting chemo next week. My first treatment is on 2/5 - I am having my port put in this morning. I will have 16 treatments over 20 weeks followed by 33 radiation treatments. Finding out I had to do chemo also hit us like a ton of bricks. Originally we thought a lumpectomy (1/5) followed by 6 weeks of radiation but the pathology report from my surgery noted I had evidence of carcinoma in my lymph vascular space. So chemo is required. I was so disappointed to learn my treatment is now a six month process instead of sixweeks. I'm ready to start. The sooner I start the sooner it will be over! Trying to stay positive!

Good Morning! I have to share that I'm emotionally not ready for this am u the only one? I'm also concerned about the hormone therapy after.

Hi Chloe's Mom yes gluten and sugar free does wonders for inflammation and healing! I'm glad you're having a great response from it. I'm getting my pizza fixes and other vices in. Altho I start chemo (ugh. HATE that word) on 2/18 I am getting in the 'zone' starting this Monday. Good luck to all of us!!

Two weeks into this journey and I'll start chemo Monday morning after my superbowl party.  I will have 4 to 6 cycles, once every three weeks.  Chemo - surgery - radiation - more chemo.  TCHP.

I will be watching your messages closely since I am on the same regimen, just a week behind you. Hope you are managing well!! Keep posting advice! I need it!!

I am also starting chemo this month (probably start week of the 16th). 4 treatments 3 weeks apart. Taxotere and Cytoxan. Very pleased to have found this thread. Am looking forward to the connection with others.

mary...I initially was scheduled for a cardiac muga scan as a baseline but later that same day , my MO called and said that he canceled it because I am only having 4 rounds. I'm assuming if I was scheduled for more rounds then they would have wanted it to monitor cardiac status following chemo.

mecsmama. We are in the same cycle. I had my first infusion jan 31. I feel awful really. It was fine for a few hours then the flu like symptoms started and now I am just so miserable. When I started I was like, only four rounds, how bad can that be? Now I'm like, three more times??. I feel terribly achy, have headache.

speechmom22, my steroids were all on the pre-meds they gave me before the chemo infusions.

Ewt717, I am sorry you are not feeling well. I struggle with headaches as well, but have been fortunate not to get one since the infusion. One thing my chemo nurse said is that the cytoxan can cause headaches and if it did they would slow down the drip next time and that would fix it. I told her I struggle with headaches and she slowed it down on the first go round. It may be worth mentioning at your next treatment.

Thank you metsmama. I have been awake since 3:30am. Well my son started crying and I got up to console him. Before that, sleep was terrible, though. I am a single mom by choice but have a serious boyfriend now. He is actully planning on going home right after my infusion today. My drs said I will likely feel fine the day of and the day after but good lord, it's my first treatment! I am so mad and disappointed in him. I have managed to completely forgot about my diagnosis and the road ahead at times. In the very beginning, 2.5 weeks ago, the news hit my BF harder than it hit me, it seemed. I hosted a SuperBowl party last night and I know everyone would have been shocked if they knew where I was heading this morning. Sometimes I think my positive attitude makes him think I am totally fine and able to handle parts of this alone. I have sisters that are wonderful and plan to be here when they can. One is in Vegas right now, one gave birth yesterday! And another is watching the kids of the one that gave birth yesterday. Oh well, hopefully I will feel fine today. Upset with the BF regardless. Sorry for the vent

Well, I am off to the doc in an hour. I have an itchy rash on my neck and shoulders. We shall see what they say. I am hoping they will give me something to relieve the itch. Other than that I feel like I might have turned a corner. Today is day 7 and I am feeling a bit better. Of course, I took the day off of work and have been resting, so we shall see how things go when I return to work tomorrow.

hi damsselfie- I see we have similar Dx. Mine was idc stage 1 but er+/her+ grade 3 however they have me on 6 cycles of chemo every 21 days. Then I have 6 weeks radiation. Feel like my treatment is very aggressive. Thoughts?