Starting Chemo December 2015

You look great Lyra! All of the chairs were full where I was too.

Birdie - I feel for you. Some of us don't "process" chemo very well. Make sure your onc is listening to you - take your DH with you and get him to advocate on your behalf if necessary. I had a severe reaction to Taxotere last time, and they lowered the dose for the next one, and while it was a bit better, I couldn't finish the course. My onc said my body just couldn't tolerate it. They should be giving you lots more meds to counter the se's of the next one if you do it. I understand the "not doing this again" I felt the same way. We each have to weigh up the quality of life v the quantity of life.

When I was dx again this time, I told my DH that I wasn't doing chemo again. I'd just die a lot sooner than I would have. He didn't say anything, just hugged me. I did change my mind, obviously lol, but when I was so sick after the first treatment, I said I wasn't going back. Well I guess I am, but I'm making sure I have more meds to get me through it. (((hugs))) to you.

Lyra - you look gorgeous!

I'm feeling pretty good today - hopefully that will keep improving until treatment number 2 next Thursday. Hair went yesterday, it was coming out in handfuls and my head was pretty sore.

Wishing all of us a Happy New Year, with health, peace and joy.

Trish

xoxo

Happy New Years Eve!

Birdie - so sorry it took you for a real spin.  I agree with everyone else that you should get a 2nd opinion and/or bring someone with you to makes sure the dr. is really understanding you. I, personally, would bring my most aggressive friend to get to the bottom of things and then later on play naïve about not knowing they'd be so pushy.  I avoid conflict like that

I had my 3rd AC today.  I don't think mine was crowded, not sure.  Everyone get's a private room.  Pretty uneventful.  I went solo so I was actually able to get in two naps.  While there I did get a text from my dad in Ohio.  He had finally convinced my mom to shave his head to be in "support and solidarity with his daughter". So sweet, it looks funny.  Bless his heart though.  He teaches adult education classes for fun and has a new semester starting in a few weeks - there he'll be, a q-ball up front.  My husband said he was going to do it too but I was able to talk him out of it.  We can't have too many sexy people in the house....

Hey Twirp - question for you. After your 1st chemo are you doing lumpectomy or mastectomy? I am basically on the same regimen as you, but doing the 6 TCHP. I had already had a lumpectomy prior, I didn't have enough info from original biopsy, so had to go there 1st. Anyway, after my TCHP, I am 99% sure I'm going to do BMX - I just can't keep doing this to myself (also had atypia in 2011, and this biopsy showed evidence of lcis also). Anyway.... Do you know how that effects our prognosis? I had clear margins & nodes, but I realize I get path after BMX. How do they determine recurrence risk if you do BMX? Sorry to ramble.

Welcome Melanie to our group,but sorry you find yourself here. Our paths are very similar, I was also diagnosed in Sept and had BMX in late Oct. Only difference is I was ER+, PR- . So my oncotype came back in the high range. I just had my second infusion of TC yesterday. If you have any questions this group is great at providing knowledge

Missy

Happy New Year!!! This is the year of healing!!! Sammy, I also want to do a BMX. I switched oncologists and surgeon after my first treatment, they were both very conservative and kept saying lumpectomy. I also do not want to worry about this every year. (Not that it can't reoccur) I just feel strong about taking both to lessen the chance. I am meeting with surgeon on 1/19. I am not sure of percentages etc but I will find out and post. My new oncologist was very supportive when I said, I think I want a BMX. He said if he were in my seat or his family member was in my seat, he wouldn't argue with me. I wish I had started my treatments with this doctor. I would have been on same regimin as you for 6 then surgery then no more chemo. I will let you know what I learn

Round 2 yesterday afternoon--I think I was the last patient to leave. But I felt good afterwards and we were able to go watch the fireworks at Gasworks park which overlooks the Seattle skyline and where my DH and I first met on New Years Eve when it turned to 1995.

My hair was shedding like crazy this last week, I was able to get through the work day yesterday still looking presentable....but as the evening wore on my hair was shedding like crazy (I kept messing with it) and I ended up looking very straggly and sick. So shaving my head this morning felt OK. My DH buzzed it short and I shaved the rest off in shower. It feels weird, my wig is itchy--but I felt I needed a few days to acclimate to the wig and build up tolerance to wearing it for hopefully a full day.

Birdie--I had a tough week after my first round, ended up in the hospital for a couple days due to low wbc shortly thereafter. But for me, I did start feeling a little more like myself every day after that first week, and hopefully I have a better plan in place to minimize SE this next round. I'm nervous for the next few days, but one friend who recently went through this said her first round was among the toughest--and her fatigue grew during other rounds, but not the other SE's (so that is what I cling to).

My insurance won't cover the Neulasta shot--which suprised me as I have pretty good insurance. I even ended in the hospital!!! They approved the Neupegin shot, which I have to go in every day for 5 days for the shot. It is so inconvenient as we sold our house recently and are building a new one in the same area--so all my treatment is by our home town--however we are living about 40 minutes south with family while waiting for our new house to be built. I will be appealing this decision.

Happy new year to everyone! Hopefully by this time next year we will all have full, beautiful heads of hair.

Hi Melanie! Yes, you and I are very closely aligned. Diagnosis in September; bilateral in October. Chemo started with Taxol on 12/1 but after an allergic reaction, I was switched to Taxofere on 12/15. My 2nd treatment is 1/5. I noticed just a few days ago large piles of hair on the floor. Looks like I will be shaving this week. Along with my second Taxofere and another nulesta shot (which made me feel terrible last time), I think it is going to be a rough one. trying to stay positive. Just came back from 3 nights in San Antonio with my 5 year old and 2 exchange students. They put a bounce in my step,.....I just hope I can keep it. Melanie - feel free to PM me since we are only a few days off on our treatment. We can compare notes! Hugs to everyone! Let's kick this!

In preparation for treatment # 2 of AC next week and the first time I'll be getting the neulasta shot, I got some Claritin. They only had the 24 hr. non-drowsy kind, so that's what I got. Is this the kind everyone else gets or is there a different type I should look for?

Also, I am 17 days post treatment # 1, and out of the blue, I have nausea today! Anyone else? This past week was supposed to be the "good week " and it's been one SE after another!

Hi Ladies ... and Happy New Year.

I had my 2nd infusion of FEC on  Dec 29th - so far so good.  I also got the Neulasta shot .   Hair is falling more than the snow outside but have had an awful bout of indigestion .. it's like I have a baseball in my esophagus .. bleh.    I pace myself everyday around my energy level.   Going to try to go back to work part time ... getting bored of daytime tv.

Wishing you all love, health and joy for 2016

Happy New Year everyone. I had round 2 on 12/31 and knock on wood all good with no SE. I am losing my stubble hot & heavy though. I am so sorry for all the pain you are all dealing with. Hubby was down with flu last two days and it's been hard managing wearing a mask and explaining it to my 3 year old. I think he's all better now and I'm chock full of airbourne with extra Vitamin C

Brithael, I gargle with salt water and baking soda. Haven't had any problem with dryness or sores. I do it about 5 times a day. It's kinda hard as I have acquired a distaste for salt, but it's worth it. :

Geeze, for what ever reason this third AC has kicked my butt. Got it Thursday and have been super low energy ever since. Reminds me of my 1/2 marathon days where I'd be tired from head to toe for the rest of the day after the race. Body exhaustion. Fatigue has finally caught up wit me, and it's pissed. Boo!

Twirp - I had a DMX and "only" had the cancer in one breast. I do not regret having the DBX for one minute. If that is what your leaning towards then I think I would def go for it. I'm glad you found a dr willing to listen to you. Seems these days they can be hard to come by.