Starting Chemo December 2015

I am right there with you Nebraska. My fourth TC is this Thursday. I had a fill on Friday and she said I probably wouldn't need another. I don't have a surgery date scheduled yet though. My plastic surgeon wants me to wait at least 6 weeks after last chemo. I just want to get it over with and get these expanders out of me.

Its strange to me that most of us on here have gained weight on chemo, doesn't make sense. I lose weight the first week of chemo and then gain it back but I have stayed pretty steady, maybe gained a couple of pounds.

#3 of 4 chemos is in the books! Just need to get through the SE's the next two weeks, and I am 75% done! Made an appt. with my RO for March 1, so then I'll find out all the skinny on radiation. All in all, a pretty good day.

hey Sammy, well I am done with my THP. I never had the C😞 I got 4 of those now the next round of 3 will be 5FU, Epirubicin, and Cytoxan. Plus my Herceptin. I switched oncologists after 1st treatment and this is what he started me on. I'm scared to see what SE I will get for the next 3. We will see. Good luck tomorrow!!! Knock that #4 off the list!

oh that's right Twirp - I remember you saying that! You have all your bases covered now - you've got this! I wish for minimal side effects for you. The good news is that no Perjeta - so maybe less bathroom issues?!!

Jodes - I think its worth asking about reducing Radiation. No one has really told me how many weeks I need yet. I really want to be done with it by the 4th of July.

Hi all, I'm done taxol #11 today. tolerating well throughout except my port incision is not healing as expected. The incision opened up mid way through the taxol treatment around round #5. It was so bad to the point my surgeon wanted to removed the port (u can actually see the port itself in the pocket). We ended up cleaned the pocket and stitched it back and placed me on oral antibiotic.

My surgeon was thinking about taking the stitches out next Tuesday after I finish my final taxol #12. He said if the incision is still not healing, he is gonna take the port out in the office.

My question is: my herceptin treatments are every 3 weeks. I know herceptin doesn't damage your veins. However, will frequent IV stick make your vein scar more easily therefore make future herceptin stick harder? Has anyone done herceptin infusion with peripheral IV? and why? Didyou Doctor never suggested a chemo port for herceptin only patients?

Sammie, Good luck tomorrow. I am right behind you on Thursday. I so dread this every time, but this should be my last

Twirp, hoping for minimal side effects, I think the cytoxane is the better of the two in the TC regimen so maybe it won't be bad. I think the only Cytoxan SE I get is headaches. Hard to tell though when you are getting two drugs.

Puremalarkey, I absolutely love the hat! Pretty color. My hair has started to grow since last treatment. I am hoping that continues and this last treatment doesn't knock it down again. Cant wait to not have to wear a hat or wig.

Tesla, sorry to hear about your port problems. It is possible to do it without one, I have. But it hasn't been fun getting stuck multiple times to get a good vein. My MO just said with 4 treatments only he wanted to try it without a port.

So excited! We went away to the Izaak Walton Inn (stayed in a remodeled caboose) to celebrate my husband's birthday. Thankful & encouraged I had enough energy to XC ski a little bit both days!!! Ready for Taxol + Herceptin #9 this week

Wishing you all are good week. Stay strong my beautiful warrior friends.

Lyra--where do you take your wigs to be steamed? I had a period after my first AC but none since; however, I had a uterine ablation to stop my periods about two weeks before my diagnosis so I really don't know whether they have stopped because of the chemo or the ablation.

Karebo--that looks so fun! Glad you got to get away and have some fun.

Puremalarkey--that hat is so pretty, I love the color! I used to be able to crochet but not sure I remember how anymore.

I'm on my low count week and my kids are sick, hoping I don't catch anything. I'm on antibiotics this week as ever. Taxol #1 on Tuesday. I had a consult with my PS on Monday, kind of stupid imo because I'm not looking at surgery until end of May at the earliest, but I have an appointment with my BS on Friday and last time I saw her she stressed how much she wanted me to have seen the PS before I saw her again. So, I saw him. Whatever. 12 more weeks o this shit.

Lyra - I've had 2 periods as well during chemo. I thought I was alone in not getting the one side effect I was hoping for. But I have noticed more regular mild hot flashes so maybe that is a sign it is stopping.

Tesla - my port is staying in for Herceptin as well.

Karenbo - looks like a great time away.

I just had #10 of 12 Taxol. Neuropathy has fortunately not been an issue, food tastes off but I have managed to gain a few pounds despite that, I just have zero energy to work out right now.....work and kids take what I have. My rash has been kept under control with antibiotics and extra steroids around infusion time. I do have some cording down my abdomen and under my left breast. Never a dull moment!!!

Hope everyone has a great night!

Cyndi

Hello Ladies~

Joedes001~ Seven weeks seems like so much! I get my surgery after chemo end of April, then radiation. I haven't met with a radiation oncologist yet. Sure hope its easier than chemo.

Lyra~Hope your ankle is feeling better! I've had 2 periods and I hope they are done for during my chemo. Between them being super intense, no tampons and I can't take NSAIDS for the cramps. I'm 45 so not sure its chemopause or not.

Tesla~ I also plan to keep my port for Herceptin if all goes well.

Karenbo~ Love the photos. Your hats are super cute as well. Looks like a great trip! Its been in the 80's out in CA- that snow looks wonderful.

Puremalarkey~ Great beanie! Can't wait to see the teal one. I used to know how to knit pretty basic scarves and am hoping to learn again. I have 3 bins or yarn from when I got super obsessed with it after first learning. A professional knittier friend is using some of my yarn to make me a few beanies. I'd like to start using up my yarn stash for chemo beanies to donate to my local cancer support center.

Chinacat, Lyra10 & Sammy3~ Congrats on #4! Over the halfway point. I get my #4 of 6 next week.

I've been feeling super congested, with some breathlessness & cough. Could all be Herceptin side effects, but sure sucks. My eyes have been super puffy and swollen also..Going to oncologists office for labs tomorrow and we see what I can find out.

Wishing everyone the best! Hope your side effects are at a minimum!

mvspaulding, your last one? I'm super excited for you and very jealous;)

mvspaulding I'm happy for you. My last one is Monday.... but if you're like me let me have a week or two to get over the chemo side effects then celebrate with me....

Mvspaulding and Puremalarkey, congrats on being done! 🎉🎈👍Very happy for you!!!! I am doing round 4 of 6 next week. Cant wait to be done with this crap. Not looking forward to 30 rounds of rads but don't really have a choice and it has to be better than chemo.

Hi ladies, catching up after some busy weeks. Glad to see you all are doing well. I have #12 Taxol next week. And start my 4 ACs the following week. My lump has shrunk considerably based on manual exams so I'm psyched to be getting an MRI of breast in a few weeks. Still feeling good, working, and working out. Though the working out hasn't kept me from gaining 16 lbs.

I'm nervous about surgery now that chemo is almost done. So reading you guys experiences has helped.

Ladies, keep kicking the little c's butt

MVspaulding! Congrats on finishing chemo. I hope you feel better soon:) I can't wait to put this chemo nonsense behind me. I might bring in a marching band for my last infusion lol.

Looking good Opt4Life! You are a few weeks ahead of me. I have Taxol #9 tomorrow then AC. Seems like there aren't many of us doing Taxol before AC. Glad to hear you are responding! Same here but like you I want to see the *receipts*. I got my MO to agree to an ultrasound before AC. All the best to you.