Starting Chemo in October 2015

Well that makes me feel a little better. I was looking at all these other people with very similar stats who are only getting 4 and 4 or just tc. Started wondering if there's something about my cancer I should know that I don't.

I have StIage Ic triple negative tumor with negative nodes. I will start chemo in next 2 weeks. I have to decide between AC and TC and I am having really hard time weighing my options between worries about the different potential long-term toxicities. My oncologist feels that either one is a reasonable choice. Length of treatment is different (AC would be dose dense every 2 weeks and TC would be every 3 weeks). I am not sure if I will be able to keep up my normal work schedule on TC...how did y'all make this decision?

What was your experience with the taxotere skittlegirl?

Thank you!!

jamigb, I am getting the same treatment that you are. Only I am getting 6 AC every two weeks and then 12 Taxol. I, too, wonder why the big differences in treatments, but I totally trust my MO. Also, I want them to throw everything they got at me, as I don't want to do this again. Good luck with your journey.

Hello October ladies. I am in the September group and just stopped by to support you all. I will start by saying chemo is no fun but you will feel better mentally once you finally get treatment started.

On hair loss, shedding started about day 12 and by day 16 I had large bald areas and buzzed what was left. I think I made it harder on myself by not taking control and buzzing it sooner but I just couldn't bring myself to do it until I had to.

I'm part way thru my second cycle. Chemo (day 1) takes all day for me. Thus far days 2 - 4 I am fatigued but am able to work (office job). Days 5-6 were pretty crummy. Each day after gets a little better after that.. week 2 and 3 I am able to work a normal schedule. I don't think I'm as mentally sharp and productive but I'm able to keep up enough to get by. The third week I felt fairly normal last time.

Hi everyone

I was diagnosed triple negative stage 2a invasive ductal on August 18th. Had my first surgery sept 18th, found out that I also have DCIS. I didn't get clean margins had to have second surgery on the 28th. Good news not in the nodes. My port will be put in on the 16th. Doc wants to to do 4 rounds of docetaxel/cyclophosphamide. Plus steroids. I have read a lot Of posts of women also getting taxol. Is there a standard regimen for tnbc?

I'm back at work - it's one week since first chemo (TC).  Like twiggyOR, I'm definitely not as productive at work, but I'm getting by.

Days 3.5 -7 sucked.  The first two days were so great that I was a little too optimistic that I'd sail right through and rock it.  Plus I can't even remember the last time I was sick - it's been years - I'm super healthy and active otherwise.   So much skull and bone pain all over - under any other circumstances I would've been in the ER thinking I had meningitis!    Likely it was a combination of the anti-nausea meds in my IV and the Neulasta shot - both have headache as main side effect.  The body pain is gone, but I still can't shake the headache day 8.   I'm still happy though!   1 down, 5 to go!  

Somehow I still had a window each day where I felt good enough to exercise - either weight lifting/plyo or 4-6 mile slow run - that was the best part of the day!   My appetite is great and keeps the mild nausea away.   I want spicy foods!   Thankful it is green chile season here in the southwest - Yay!    My mouth and tongue feel strange though.  Cottonmouth but oversalivating at the same time, sore throat, but so open sores that I can see/feel.

Just reading some of the questions above in the thread.  I had many nodes involved and was given the choice of 6 rounds each of either AC or TC.  Not fun to have to choose between two evils: cardiomyopathy (with Adriamycin) or peripheral neuropathy (with Taxotere).  I already knew I did not want Adriamycin before I even met with oncology (hazard of working in healthcare in a hospital - so much info from your peers and able to be researched easily).  Was super scared about the neuropathy going into this (need fine dexterity for work and for sports too) but I'm trying the cold mittens/slippers and taking 3 supplements advised by oncology.  Hoping for the best! 

Planned my chemo around vacations.  Once the oncologist said I could still go on my Panama trip in December (it will be a 10 days after after my fourth chemo) we worked backward from there to determine the chemo start date.  Yeah, that's probably crazy, but I'm still living and enjoying life as much as I can!

hugs to you all!

Andra xo

Starting first of 6 rounds (one every three weeks) of TCHP (not sure how this is supposed to be ordered!) tomorrow. Anxious to get moving with this and a bit anxious about it overall.

Do any of you watch Orange is the New Black? I am feeling like Piper Chapman in the first episode, when she was preparing for "self surrender" to the Department of Corrections. She knows that it is going to unpleasant but necessary all at the same time. I feel like I am preparing for self surrender to the Department of Chemo. Despite how out of control things feel right now, I'm trying to maintain a sense of control over the only thing I can control--my mental state.

Anyway, good luck and lots of healing to all of you!

There is no exact rhyme or reason as to what you will get in terms of chemicals for chemo. I have 1 node involved and I'm getting AC/Taxotere. There are many factors that go into what your regimen will be. Your age, tumor size or what it was, ER+?, HER2 status, etc. So no real way to tell until you get with your onco and she reviews your path report and labs with you.

tomorrow is AC Round 1. DurhamGirl, I LOVE it -- the one thing we CAN control is our mental state!! I'm really trying hard to stay positive. I'm so blessed to have 900 hours of sick leave built up, a very understanding boss, good insurance, prayer warriors all over the world, a husband who is my hero, a cancer center 30 mins from my house, plans for dinner with our granddaughter tonight, an appt for reiki after that, and I feel really blessed that I've found you all, as well. Thanks for sharing your experiences!

CancerinMN, my worst time is in the middle of the night. With my MO's approval, I take an ES tylenol PM every night at bedtime - it really helps.

Have a great day, everyone!

Day 3 for me. Had the Neulasta shot yesterday, and was achy all over last night. I think the Claritin helped. Today is okay so far!

I have not watched Orange is the new Black yet. We just finally made it through all of Breaking Bad, which was great! Better Call Saul is a spin-off and it's pretty good too.

I have been trying to get back into some pleasure reading, but I keep reaching for cancer stuff instead. Hopefully this urge will diminish.

At a routine ob visit yesterday, we found out our baby had died sometime.in the past week. I was 13 weeks plus 2 days pregnant. I delivered a beautiful baby boy last night. I start chemo tomorrow. I honestly don't know how to cope anymore. This is too much.