Starting Chemo May 2015

I am having 4 rounds of TC starting on the 14th and at least to begin and I won't have a port. MO prefers to see how my veins do first, if any issue then I'll get a port.

It's weird, although I am ready to get on with it, my stomach is definitely starting to knot up more again...stress level seems to be rising. I wish I could get it to morph into nervous energy so I could get some stuff done around the house ... I am finding motivation very lacking.

eaglemom, glad your meeting with the MO went well. Mine was the same, she went through all my reports and explained everything to me and my options with figures to demonstrate the options. I got the same message, HRT would be very effective and choices on the chemo. I worry about the genetic factor but there doesn't seem to be any history in my family, that I can find anyway. My mum passed away of old age at 95. I've checked all her sisters (there was one who died before I was born I wondered about but I got her death certificate and ruled her out) and my maternal grandmother... nothing. Not sure about all my first cousins. I have two daughters and have told them they must inform their GPs about my status.

So much to think about.... Right... back to trying to motivate myself to clean! Ugh...

Steflove my port was placed there because thats where my doc wanted it.  I know I was scared when I was reading of ports placed in the neck, chest area, and all that could grow wrong.  The internet is full of info.  My area is healing good.  They put some kind of glue or tape on it and they want me to let that peel off on its own.  It felt good when I took that big bandaid off after 4 days but oh did that hurt.  Hospital stuff is meant to stick.

I was so glad though yesterday I had my port.  People that just get it in their veins, cant move their arm.  I could port and all.  I forget what you call it when they get the port ready to use, and the nurse told me to take a deep breath, hold it, and then she would tell me exhale.  That didnt hurt me and I have heard of people numbing their port.

The people and staff were so nice yesterday, and it helps to talk to other patients.  All I talked to were so positive and I need that.  When I left there, I felt so lifted and happy.  I had that neulasta shot, and Im not hurting.  Dont know if that would happen with the first shot, or if I should quit waiting for it and awful things happening or let it go.  For me, probably the latter.  The only thing I had was some cramps and diahrreah, and that was more toward nightime.  Not fun but I could describe it like if any of you had a prepkit for a colonoscopy, and  it starts fading away but some remants left.  Not too bad but the butt can sure hurt from the irritation for awhile.  Got up today and its fine.  I feel good today but just want to take it easy and relax which includes a vanilla latte this afternoon.  Im such a coffee freak.  I went yesterday too after my treatment.  

Thank you for sharing a positive experience!!

labhusky...I am getting the same cocktail on Monday. I hope it goes as well. Stay strong and enjoy the latte. Personally I am a blended frozen mocha with 1/2 the coffee, extra chocolate and mint fan myself. Stay strong and enjoy the weekend

tjh I hope it's a positive experience for you also. Walking in the office yesterday I didn't know what to expect and being someone that fears a lot I was nervous. I hope I have a similar group on the 5/27 one. They gave me 3rx's to fill. One was a pain pill and an anti nausea to use only as needed. I took the anti nausea yesterday just in case. I'm fine today. The 3rd one I take once a day everyday is omeprazole dr 20 mg. that's for the stomach acid that he says will happen on this combo. By the way, I had the herceptin last. That's the biggest bag. Kind of wonder why it's big but if it's an immune thing I kind of see that like an antibiotic they'd want to flush the her2 positive out. I'm a little tired today but thankfully I took time off for this so I don't have to push myself. I think we all need time to relax going thru this

MY Oncologist didn't mention herceptin, but mime was HER-. So I won't get that. DH is taking me so will have to see if he needs to stay. What did you take along to do?

Tjh I didnt really take anything because I had my phone.  I did take some water and applesauce to snack on.  Alot of them had bananas or granola bars.  Then the staff passed around some cookies.  You will probably get the benadril and tylenol pill once they get all the I'Vs going.  I didnt sleep but some people did.  The office has blankets and pillows for us and the chairs are recliners.  It was cold in there.

Your hair looks great Shan...I am going to go down the same road as you

Maree and kjsun, triple negative here too and my onc made me promise not to google about tnbc she said bc it would drive me insane. Well of course I did and it is, ha! But there are positives to being triple neg and you need to keep all that in mind. We don't need to be on any hormone therapy for years after all of this and after we hit the 5 year mark, we have a higher chance of no recurrence. Thank happy thoughts!

Shanan, I'm also going to be doing AC+T but then they might also add in carboplatin to the mix during the taxol depending on my brca testing. I heard the AC is the worst of the bunch but nothing we can't handle. The nickname for A is the Red Devil, sounds fun, right??? Just keep hydrated. A lottttttt. 100oz a day I was told esp on treatment days and the days after to flush your system. I'll be right there with you with this so we can complain and vent together

Shan, my treatment center gave me a 20oz water bottle and told me to drink 5 of them a day. Luckily I normally use an awesome 32oz one at work so I'll be using that one instead. Now I just need to remember to fill it 3+ times, ugh! I've been trying to hit 100z the past few days and it's HARD to do. SO. MUCH. WATER! Also don't count coffee or tea in the 100oz, which makes me sad, haha! Another thing about AC, the chemical is red (hence Red Devil) but bc of the color, you'll be seeing a lot of red during bathroom visits so don't be alarmed. I'm sure they'll probably tell you this if they haven't already but doesn't hurt to hear it again.

Definitely agree about having everyone here for support. Like you said, people home have been trying to be supportive but it's just different since they aren't going through it as well.

Shan, love your hair cut! As far as the things people say, I figure they just don't know what to say. I cut them some slack - if I feel like it. Sometimes it's fun to call them out on it. They never mean it to be mean so we end up laughing. The taxol is the easiest of the bunch. It's very rare for us to have to feel sick nowadays. With the steroids, you might even have to hold yourself back from doing too much. I did get really tired yesterday and went to bed early, but so far I can't complain. So, before you know it we're going to be through this and moving on. I wish everyone a smile.

1st chemo yesterday. A/C.

So far so good for the most part. Some nausea. Fatigue, maybe from the anti-nausea drugs. Funny taste in mouth here and there.

I had a port put in last week, and it was still sore and tender to find... But I had numbing cream, and didn't feel the needle at all! Phew!

Mysunshine- I've got that On Body Neulasta injector on right now!!!!

It's supposed to give me the meds in another hour I think. It was easy for them to put on. It's on my stomach, but not in the way. I can take it off late tonight anyway. Way better than another trip back to the hospital!

Hello to all of you brave women who are having chemo this month. I am still undecided and hope to hear from you regarding how you made your decisions. My case is not clear cut. I am 61 yrs old with invasive lobular carcinoma. Had a lumpectomy at the end of March 2015. I am a stage Ia. Tumor was grade 2, 1.0 cm, no lymph node involvement, no lymph vascular invasion, clear margins. ER and PR positive, Her2 negative. My oncotype score=25. Radiation is for sure, but I need to decide quickly whether or not to do chemo and I find this agonizing. I would love to hear your thoughts.

I went with chemo after talking to all my drs and DH and we started aggressive with the mastectomy so that was my thinking. I really do not want to do this again.