April 2015 Chemo Crew... Starting in April? Please join us!

Littleblueflowers I think our chemos are different based on how agrressive the Oncologist needs them to be. It might have to do with the size of the tumor and if there was any lymph nodes involved. I know AC+T was presented to me, but he felt in my case TC was the better choice. Oh I got my BRCA results and I am negative

Sprite - I fear the diagnostic tests too. I feel like this BC diagnosis was such a surprise/shock that I've started thinking, "what other cancer could be lurking and I don't even know" :-( I dragged my feet on getting a colonscopy, and now I'm wondering if I have cancer every time I take a sh*t. I scheduled one for July, but I don't know if I'll even be able to have one. Thanks for sharing that about your clavicle - I broke mine when I was ~14, and I know I still have a bump there, so I'll be sure to let them know before they order a bone scan just for that!

Allicat - I find it very interesting how each of us have so different diagnosis, but end up with chemo. I'm assuming it's your Oncotype score that is driving the chemo? I don't think they have done an oncotype for me. I have a positive lymph node, though, and I read that it's not necessary if you have +node (I guess because they already know they are going to suggest chemo?). If my doctors gave me and option of a less brutal chemotherapy regime, I would take it in a heartbeat, especially if I had your stats - small tumor (caught early - grade 1), no node involvement, hormone receptor +, etc.

Karen - I have decided I am going to take a trip to Greece when this is done. I have always wanted to go, and so I'm going to do it. The only thing is that it might not be until next year. It's a May - October type trip (I want to visit the islands), and I'm not sure if I'll be able to fit it in for the fall when (I hope) I'll be through most of this. My bf and husbands are going in September for a weekend in Newport, RI, and that would probably be the only time to fit it in, but that's ok, if I have it planned for the following year, that will be my goal (and then I can save up more spending $). I also have a fitness goal - I have been a very on again/off again fitness person - losing 50#, then gaining it back. In fact, I blame my most recent gain for the BC. I can only work out in the morning before work, so I start getting up at 5 AM and working out, but something always derails me, and I end up skipping it. My alarm still goes off, but I just hit the snooze. I successfully did it for over a year at a time at points in my life, but I think that's why I can't do it now - I know how grueling it is.

I hope everyone who is starting next week has a good weekend. DH and I are going away tonight for 2 nights - I need a break - would like to be going south, but we are going north, but to the ocean. It will be a nice break before my life is filled with doctor's appointments and SE.

Last night I had my hair cut short. I had my regularly scheduled appointment with my hair stylist, Sarah. I have been seeing her for 9 years now, and it was sad when I left. I made another appointment, like I always do, for 6 weeks, but I told her that I wasn't sure if I'd need to go. I was kind of hoping that she'd offer to buzz or shave me, but I understand that she probably didn't want to go there - I can't blame her. I did tear up thinking that it could be 6 months or more before I see her again.

here are my before and after pictures:

In the second photo I'm wearing the earrings that my sister sent me - they are amethyst for "positivity". The hair actually looks better (I think) in person than these photos - at least I feel like it looks much better when I look in the mirror :-) My youngest daughter (9) didn't like it, and my middle (13) laughed when she saw me. It definitely made me know I had made the right choice in getting them all used to this first before I have no hair.

TGIF ladies.

-Lynne

Hi everyone. I would like to join you on this board. My first chemo will be April 2nd. This is my second go round with breast cancer. The first time being 13 years ago in my right breast, this time my left breast gets a turn... I had my port placement a week ago on Thusday, and yesterday I had a muga scan. I'm doing neoadjuvant chemo, so my surgery will come after. I'm getting TCHP for 6 rounds each 3 weeks apart and then the Herceptin alone will also be given to me on two in between weeks. So chemo every week. Aaarghh.... Looking forward to getting acquainted and having a place to share/vent with people who are going through it too.

hi everyone... been a rough week. port on tuesday... was supposed to have biopsy's, ct and bone scans thursday, but was in so much pain from port had to be given oxicodone for pain and had a few tests done, have bone scan and needle lymph node biopsy this up coming tuesday and start chemo thursday. i am still sore from the port but its getting better. my ct and muga scans were good. wont be surprised if cancer cells are in lymph nodes since they dont look good. i also had genetic tests done and they are all normal! i am happy that my doc didnt care about getting the tests done.. he wanted to make sure i was ok and address the pain before moving forward and the hospital was able to move things around to get the tests done.

Hi ladies, I have kind of an embarrassing question for you all. I'm scheduled for a CT scan on Monday, and I think my period is going to start by then. Is that going to interfere with the scan? TMI I'm sure. I just didn't think of it when I could ask my onc nurse...thanks so much!

Thank you rockerwife! So many new things to think of...ugh. Just insult to injury. I'm so greatful for everyone here!

I agree that a positive state of mind is very important. A friend who went through chemo and is now cancer free for 8 years says do whatever you can to take as much control over what you can since so much of it is out of your control. She shaved her head as soon as she started losing her hair, and suggested I do the same.

A few posts ago I said that my MO gave me a choice of which chemo combo to use TC (which he said was "brutal" every 3 wks x4) or CMF (less brutal, keep your hair, every 3 wks x6). I was leaning towards CMF but in doing research I found a study that showed long-term cognitive issues from CMF from women who had it 20 years ago. http://www.cancer.net/new-study-shows-breast-cance...

And the TC offers an extra percentage point against recurrence than the CMF, so I'm thinking I'm going to go with TC. I want to know that I've done all that I can to prevent recurrence.... so taking the "tougher" chemo, but also plan to continue eating clean, exercising, etc long term (as much as I can during chemo...)

KBee, thanks for letting me know you felt TC was tough but doable! Did you need someone in your home to help you? I'm separated from my husband so living alone... not sure how much help I'm going to need...

Lynne, your hair looks great! Good idea to get your kids used to seeing you with less hair now.

My kids are out of the house, DD19 (well she'll be 20 in a week, her bday is 4/4) and my son is 23. They are both away at college but will both be in for Easter for the first time since Christmas and the last time together until Thanksgiving. I'm thinking we're going to get have to get some family pictures before my hair falls out!

In fact my son graduates May 15 from grad school. If the schedule holds as it appears now, I'll be in between Chemo 2 & 3 for his graduation.... right when it seems the hair comes out in clumps. My aunt is a hairdresser so she is advising me on hair issues. She said I should cut my hair short soon, it's thick and shoulder length now.

Anyway, Rockerwife looks like I'll be a few days behind you but we'll both be doing TC. I get my port on April 8 and my first chemo date is April 10.

Ankledolphin: Sorry you're having a rough time with the port. I'm kind of scared about that TBH, but alas I have horrible veins. Where is your port? My MO says he wants to put it in my arm...

Anyway, glad to have a decision made on the chemo option and just ready to get started to get it over.... And so glad to be part of this group!

Welcome LK121212,

Sorry you found yourself here but we're really glad you found us.

We don't have advice but we're here to let you know that you're not alone and that you have the support and compassion of this community as you progress through your treatment and beyond.

Sending gentle hugs to you from us all,

The moderators.

LK: I can relate to some extent.

I had my biopsy the Monday before Christmas. I got the call that I had IDC the day after Christmas, a Friday. Saw the BS that Monday who said no chemo, just lumpectomy and radiation. It was small. All good.

So like you, I put the brave face on for my two kids (DS24 & DD20) away at college and husband. "It's small, it's okay, we got it early. No big deal." My husband went to play golf the day I found out. He said, "You okay?" And I said, "Yes. fine. go." Sigh...

Well, now that the lumpectomy is over and I've seen oncologists, and now I'm facing chemo and have real concerns about radiation since tumor was on left side and implications to heart and lungs, and have been discussing recurrence "percentages"..... Um, YES, IT IS A BIG DEAL!

My marriage was in trouble for years and I ignored and repressed anger. Before I knew mammo had issues, I found a good job, first one out of the home for years. After cancer diagnosis, and being told "just radiation" I separated from my husband so I could focus on healing. Well, job is going to be demanding and difficult to maintain during treatment, they will expect me to be 100%. And I thought, oh, "no big deal. I can do this."

Well it is a big deal.

I realized that the job/company will go on, but I AM THE ONLY ONE who is responsible for my health care. I should NOT MINIMIZE the seriousness of this to appease anyone: my kids, husband, boss.

So I'm going to try to control this by focusing on me. I have savings and will just live off that for the next several months. I want to try meditation, yoga, walking, etc. and not feel guilty by taking off time to do everything I need to do to LIVE!!

So, LK have you tried any relaxation things such as meditation, yoga, massage, etc.? Or is the chemo just too debilitating?? Since you've worked at a cancer center, are you aware of services offered for patients that could help like counseling, support groups, etc?

Good news is you have two sessions behind you! How many do you have left?

Take care! I'm so glad I found this forum and this April group!

I am happy for you that you took control of your life and you are looking at what is best for you. It is hard to feel like I have any control at all. I will be honest the Chemo has been hard on me because I have never taken any meds. I ate healthy mostly vegetarian and fish, and I exercised 3 x week for the past year. So the Chemo is hitting me and I just haven't been able to get back up long enough to do exercise or Yoga. I have not attended any support groups because I am the type that does not show my emotions publicly. I feel like I need to be strong and just cry out when I am alone and not affect my children. My husband sees that I am strong on the outside, and when he ask, Are you O.K? I just cry and walk away. I was dx. IDC on 10/29, Double Mastectomy surgery 12/12 and Chemo started Feb, Have you started Chemo yet?

I did Neulasta on my first round and the bone pain was hard, But that is not the IMPORTANT part , what I noticed was that the Neulasta gives a false outlook of what the Chemo is doing to you by raising your WBC automatically and then you are not able to see if the dose of the Chemo is to high. The reason I tell you this is because, I decided to do the daily Neupogen on the 2nd dose and I am glad I did. On the 2nd dose the Doctor was able to see that the dose was extremely high by the fact that I became Neutropenic and my labs were so low that the protocol calls for a decrease in the dose by 20% if this happens. So what does that tell me?? It says that the dose is a standard formula and what it is doing to your body may be different from what it does to another. So I am tolerating the decreased dose much better and went back to Neulesta now that I know what the true affect of the Chemo is on my body.. Just FYI I don't know why this is not a standard to first see how the Chemo affect each individual before doing the Neulesta.

"Hope this helps everyone" We have to be proactive and not just settle for what s told to us..

LK

All I can tell you is that I know my Oncologist for past 14 years when I worked with him, and I ask him why so much Cancer. He said something that he just can't give an answer to, Environmental, chemicals in food ??? no one knows. Did you see my post on Chemo above?? And yes it is important that you start Chemo shortly after surgery when the best chance to get a cancer left behind.

FYI for first time Chemo, I did Neulasta on my first round and the bone pain was hard, But that is not the IMPORTANT part , what I noticed was that the Neulasta gives a false outlook of what the Chemo is doing to you by raising your WBC automatically and then you are not able to see if the dose of the Chemo is to high. The reason I tell you this is because, I decided to do the daily Neupogen on the 2nd dose and I am glad I did. On the 2nd dose the Doctor was able to see that the dose was extremely high by the fact that I became Neutropenic and my labs were so low that the protocol calls for a decrease in the dose by 20% if this happens. So what does that tell me?? It says that the dose is a standard formula and what it is doing to your body may be different from what it does to another. So I am tolerating the decreased dose much better and went back to Neulesta now that I know what the true affect of the Chemo is on my body.. Just FYI I don't know why this is not a standard to first see how the Chemo affect each individual before doing the Neulesta.

"Hope this helps everyone" We have to be proactive and not just settle for what s told to us..

LK

Hi super nanny, This is all new to me. I have taken care of many patients with Cancer but never thought it would be me taking care of me. I am on my 3rd dose out of 6 and still anxious everytime I know the next one is coming. I don't think this is something that you can just approach knowing that it will be the same. Each of my Chemo's have been different and I am always thinking that I can be prepared by staying ahead of the game. But for some reason mine has had a different outcome each time. It could be because like I posted earlier the Doctors automatically treat what they know will be happening, but what you need to know is that you are your own protector and you need to be an active part in this treatment. You need to speak out when things are not going smooth. I hope that all goes well for you and I hope you don't take anyones experience as your guide because we are all different in the way that this Chemo affects us. You sound very positive so I would believe that you have the greatest power to your advantage. Mind over matter and for me it is Faith. Stay positive your storm will be over soon.

I wish you well.

LK

What's In Your Chemo Bag?

Hey everyone! I didn't have a chemo bag last time I did chemo, I just brought reading material and made do. Now I see all these wonderful suggestions of things to bring to chemo. Maybe we can help each other out by saying what we will bring and therefore have the Best Chemo Bags around!

So far, I'm bringing a movie( thanks to supernanny) my kindle, magazines, lip gloss, hand lotion,