Starting Chemo in October 2015

i am doing neupogen (filgrastin or GCSF, think it's similar as it boosts your white cell count. I give myself injections days 3-10 after treatment. I am on AC for 4 treatments, then Taxol for 4.

Kim

hi everyone. I'm new to the forum and this is my first post 😊 Starting chemo the week of October 19, have my teach on Tuesday and should have my official start date after that. Pretty nervous but my mantra has been knowledge is power so I'd like follow this thread in preparation of the inevitable.

Hi Kimmi321,

I just had my #1 a few days ago. I can only hope your first is as easy as mine. This is a great group of people who are very supportive. Keep us posted.

Do you guys eat before your chemo treatment?

I just ate like normal the night before and the morning of. No problems with nausea.

Hi there, I have been looking online to find out what I should have to prepare for chemo. Just curious to know if anyone had any suggestions. So far I have - two wigs, scarves, Salivasure, Biotene mouth wash and toothpaste. I got some really useful things in a care packet for cancer patients from my sweet cousin. I also bought some cute clothes and shoes for fall because I want to look nice even if I don't feel so good.;) I have heard a little about the cold caps. What are they for? Thanks!

It seems like everyone is getting neulasta. They don't want to give it to me because I'm pregnant. Now, I'm worried about getting an infection.

Also, I've developed a seroma all across my scar line from the mastectomy. It actually burst over the weekend. My surgeon put me on prophylactic antibiotics even though it doesn't seem infected. Do you think this will delay chemo at all?

I was on oral antibiotics when I started chemo. My MO gave me the choice of playing it safe and waiting until early the following week to let my wound heal more or starting the chemo that day knowing that chemo would probably slow the rate of healing, increasing the chance of infection. My chemo had already been delayed a week while waiting for additional biopsy results to properly stage the cancer, so I opted to start and not wait. I finished the antibiotics on Friday and the wound is still healing. No sign of infection.

My cancer center has tons of head scarves and hats, so I haven't bought anything.

I run hot most of the time so no wig for me, which is fine. I can deal with caps and such that's don't scream look at me, I have cancer---like baseball looking caps.

Hi. I am ER positive HER2 negative, age 54, Black and not on any medication. I was diagnosed with DCIS May 2015.I had a right breast mastectomy with breast flap reconstruction and a sentinel node biopsy on August 18, 2015.1 out of 3 nodes had positive microscopic cells.6mm invasive was found in the breast tissue that was removed.My Oncotype Score is 20 and I was told on last week that 4 rounds of chemo and Femara for 5 years would stop recurrence. However, today I was told that I have good numbers and chemo may not be necessary unless I want to. My chances of living breast cancer free would be 90 to 92% with Femara, and 92-95% with chemo and Femara.He said the side effects of the chemo may not be worth the risk.I am feeling great and have to return to work on Thursday so that I can still have a job. I like my numbers but I am worried about the microscopic stuff that was found. Any insight or feedback will be greatly appreciated and thanks for listening.

Hi ladies, I started my first round of TC chemo on 9/30 so I'm pretty much an October chemo club member. So far I have been doing great! My worst days were 3-5 (Day 1 being chemo day) but they weren't that bad. Mostly just low energy, queasiness, sensitivity to strong smells, diarrhea and dry mouth. I threw up 2 times on Day 4. It felt sort of like a hangover. After 1 week everything cleared up except the dry mouth. Now almost 2 weeks out I feel perfectly normal. I did not get the Neulasta shot because my blood counts were ok. I was very careful to drink LOTS of water and exercise every day. I think that helped.

I also cold capped and so far I've had only minimal shedding. More than usual definitely but not noticeable. I'm hoping to keep it that way!

Next treatment is 10/22.

Pselma, I also had the 20 Oncotype. I'm doing the 4 rounds of chemo and I'm glad I did because it's really not bad at all. I was really worked up about getting it, very worried and scared, but this regimen has been... dare I say it... easy? At least so far!

Hi Everyone,

I bought 2 wigs on sale at http://cysterwigs.com/ Heather, one of the owners is very kind and if you search her on Youtube, she does video reviews of the wigs. She is very helpful with measurements. Below is a picture of me real hair and wig. .

I purchased the pre tied scarves from headcovers.com I am all thumbs tying scarves :0(. Tshire, I hope it continues to go well. Mine has been relatively mild for #1. The thing is TC I hear has cumulative side effects for some. Others continue to do well. I hope we all stay in the first category.

Yep. They measure the chemicals based on your weight so if you lose enough weight, they will be stronger on your system.

Jamigb, before I even knew the stage of my cancer, my surgeon told me that I would be getting 4 rounds of ac every 3 weeks and 12 weekly cycles of T. It seems like it is pretty standard from what I have heard.