Starting Chemo in October 2015

Just saw an oncologist at Stanford yesterday and was shocked by his spiel. I went in thinking that since I had the lumpectomy on Sept. 3rd and the path report showed the margins and the three lymph nodes involved with that area are clear, I guess I thought I was home free. I have triple negative, stage 1, tumor was 1.1 cm. I previously had DCIS stage 0 with lumpectomy in Dec. 2013 and 25 sessions of radiation in Jan-Mar 2014. I am 71 years old. The oncologist told me that radiation was not recommended because it only would take care of any additional cancer cells in the breast but that I still could have this cancer metastasize elsewhere such as the liver, bone, etc. and that if that happens, there is no cure. I should have written down the names of the chemo drugs but i think one was TC or CT and I can't remember the other but it had 3 initials. I think we have ruled out TC because it can causes peripheral nerve damage and I already have peripheral nerve pain which I can barely stand. I don't have diabetes, but my mother, her sister and my youngest sister all have this problem so it undoubtedly hereditary. I cannot stand the thought of worse pain in my feet. If I decide to go ahead with the chemo and use the 3-letter chemo, he said it is slightly less effective and is an older chemo. The good news is that Stanford tested me for 25 mutant cancer genes and I don't have any, including the BRCA 1 & 2 which is a real plus.

Recently we have attended some health seminars and all these doctors are saying don't get radiation or chemo and we can heal our bodies by being 100% vegan - no dairy, eat nothing that has a mother, ie no eggs, meat, fish, etc. and no added oils. They swear I can heal myself, but I don't know if they know much about triple negative breast cancer.

The oncologist told me yesterday that treatment should begin by 3 months after the surgery, so by December 3rd. To add to the dilemma, my husband just found out he has a carotid artery 90% blocked and needs to get it done immediately. The cardiologist told the surgeon that he wouldn't survive the surgery unless he gets his aortic heart valve replaced and 4 bypasses at the same time. WOW! That's scary and on top of that he is about 7 years into Parkinson's disease. He has a heart cath scheduled for next Tuesday, Oct. 27 and open heart surgery on Friday the 30th. So I don't feel that I can go ahead with any chemo, if I decide to do it, until he has recovered enough where he won't need me to take care of him. My head is swimming and I don't know what I am going to do - chemo or no chemo. If I opt for no chemo and trying to heal myself with nutrition, then I have to do it 100% - no cheating! But I am not 100% sure I can do that. What a fine kettle of fish I find myself in.

^^^^^ I would post your question on the stage 1 forum and see what others who have similar/same dx as you are doing. Good luck.

Barbiejo,

Welcome to Breastcancer.org. We're so sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis, as well as your husband's health troubles -- you've certainly got a lot on your plate right now!

Please keep in mind, first and foremost, that there is no scientific evidence that nutrition itself can "heal" you, though we at Breastcancer.org strongly encourage a good diet and exercise program to keep risk low and help in recovery. See the Nutrition and Exercise sections on the main Breastcancer.org site for more.

Also, the Who Gets Chemotherapy? page may be able to help answer some questions.

We hope this helps!

--The Mods

Hi everyone,

I have my chemo teach this Monday and my first chemo appt Oct 29th then Oct 30th for a shot of Neulasta. Kind of nervous about both appointments. Just wanted to give a shout out, to say hi. I'm not very good with computer and not sure how everyone puts in their Dx. I was diagnosed with stage 3c breast cancer. Had a mastectomy of right breast with sentinel node biopsy, 3 1/2 weeks later axillary lymph node dissection 13 out of 25 nodes positive and port placement. ER+/PR-, HER2-

I will be on dose dense AC every two weeks for 4 rounds, then changing chemo drugs (Taxol I think) once a week for 12 weeks followed by radiation.

Hi everyone! This diarrhea is killing me! I've done everything they said to do--BRAT diet, Imodium, lots of fluids, etc.--and I'm getting no relief. Does anyone know how long this can last? I feel like a prisoner in my own home--I never know when it will come and how far away I can be from a bathroom. (It's like that commercial...)

DurhamGirl

DurhamGirl, I had the same problem, but it was the painful cramping that did me in. I went into this with pretty well-controlled IBS, but I think the chemo killed all my good gut bacteria. Ask your ONC for Bentyl. It is an antispasmodic and I find it worked really well with the Imodium. My day 6 and 7 were horrible, but I am day 10 and feeling so much better now. I also went in for fluids which really helped as well. I hope you find relief soon.

Snapdeb-My diagnosis is very similar to yours. My treatment is AC every two weeks for 6 treatments then 12 weeks of Taxol and then radiation. I went for my blood work today and my white count was .2 and I have thrush in my mouth. Fortunately, my MO works very closely with me to treat the side effects as they come up to help me feel better. I got a neupogen shot today and will get another tomorrow. So far so good, but the last neupogen shot I got made my back and hips hurt terribly. I said from the beginning that they could hit me with everything they had and I would get through it. Thank goodness for the encouragement of the people on this site. Next week I will be half way through the AC part of this. We will get through this.

I jut spiked a fever of 100. I know they say to go to the ER if it's over 100.4, but does anyone know if it's ok to take a fever reducer or not because that would mask a dangerous fever? I left a message for the triage line it may not hear for a bit.

Thanks

I had my port placed yesterday morning. It was a little sore today but I was able to do a gentle slow run of 2 miles by holding my arm still on the port side. The biggest challenge yesterday was not being able to drive (I had to get a ride to work). I plan to try to work with as minimal sick days as possible.

Today I had my first round of AC. I really liked my infusion nurse, Kristen! Everything went really well. I did have a little feeling of chest heaviness during the cytoxan infusion but they did an ekg and all looked fine. I got premeds with Decadron, Aloxi and Emend. I passed on the Ativan. I took zofran a while ago and just took a compazine because I ate a normal dinner and I think it was a bit too much. Tomorrow I am going wig shopping.

I am so relieved to finally be starting treatment. Making the decision about TC vs. AC was one of the hardest parts of the journey so far.

Day 7 post first AC and I was feeling great, but now feel yucky and dead tired despite napping. Do you think it's my blood counts getting low despite neulasta?

I also have sores all over my tongue as swollen glands from them in my neck. Maybe that is what is causing the exhaustion?

Also does anyone else have weird sleep now? I don't know how else to describe it except I feel like I dream too much amd it makes me more exhausted. I sleep too hard or something. I wake up feeling bad and not rested.

I start chemo on 10/29. I'll have surgery on 10/28 to have my Port put back in. This is my 2nd time being diagnosed with breast cancer in same breast in 4 years. My chemo will consist of carboplatin and taxol, once a week for 12 weeks then on to rads. 4 weeks ago I had bilateral Masectomy with free team flap! Definitely not looking forward to this...AGAIN! Has anyone had this same regimen?

Thank you!

I just wanted to shared that I started chemo Thursday - AC. Autumn121 I am curious to know how you are feeling so far. We started the same day with the same meds. The first day I felt upset stomach and headache from the anti nausea meds. Second day achy from the Leukine shot, tired, fever, one moment of really, really bad stomach pain and vomiting. Since yesterday I have been vigilant about taking anti-nausea meds because I don't want another episode like that. Today tired, upset stomach, no fever. I don't feel like eating. But I am because I need to. Really trying to stay hydrated.

I wanted to drop in on a new group and tell you all, you can do it, and it will get better. Last year this time I was in middle of it and feeling it! 

I started TCHP chemo on Wednesday the 21st. First day out, I felt fantastic. Yesterday I felt flu-like. Today I feel very flu-like, lethargic, and clammy. I am cold capping so can't wash my hair until tomorrow which is driving me crazy. I have been having night sweats which is probably my least favorite SE.

Anyway I'm just looking for encouragement that this will get better soon. The prospect of many more days, and many more cycles, of feeling this bad is overwhelming.

I am normally very positive but not feeling it right now .