Starting Chemo March 2016

Hi everyone -

I'm new on this thread. I will be starting the TCH regime mid-April. I had the port put in when they did a small re-exciicion (tiny area from my lumpectomy that had very close margins. That was Wednesday and I'm still having pain at the port. I was wondering if you could share about how your port placement procedure went. I guess I had read a few accounts that there was no pain after a day so I expected that

I love all the support and encouragement here. I'm very upset about having to do Chemo but the horrors I imagined have been laid to rest from reading about so many women continuing to work through it. I will have six rounds of chemo + perception. Once every three weeks. Then 11 rounds of just the Hercpetin. I too am very nervous about the long term side effects especially, I don't want anything to mess up my heart and Herceptin can do that. I've met about 8 women on these boards with the exact pathology I have who managed to work through the TCH. THAT is my inspiration. I have some flexibility at work to take naps in my private office too.

At my job, we get training days and can do at home video trainings so I am going to set that up while I'm doing the first 6 rounds. I just started my new job in November and I don't have much leave.

I LOVED what you said about things people say - my husband does this, telling me stories about his sister who just died. I've yelled at him a couple of times so I think he'll stop. I have not and do not plan to tell anyone at work and he doesn't get that. But its my choice. I am going to do the Penguin cold caps or at least try to in order to keep my hair. Anyone do that?

Thanks,

Annie

I would like to be a part of this. Diagnosed 1/8/16. Lumpectomy and starting chemo on 3/14. AC-T

I had some pain and soreness from my port for a week. It is much better now. I am doing 6 rounds of Perjeta and a whole year of Herceptin in 3 week cycles. I had my first infusion of those yesterday plus Carboplatin and Taxatere. I had no problems and today feel no side effects. 

Welcome aboard. 

BKGameGirl - Found your post, thank you. I guess its good I went in naive as I would have postponed it. My neck and shoulder feel "weird" along with pain around the port. Oh and the TAPE the TAPE the TAAAAAPPPEEEE...

LorettaJ - thanks for sharing about your port healing, I can do a week. Hey, looks like we have some of the same pathology...I'll be TC+H for 6 rounds and then 11 rounds of just Herceptin - a year. I'm so glad that your first infusion went so well. How long did it take?

I totally related about the horrible surprises! I've heard from others that once treatment is underway, its better. I'm so encouraged to hear women doing their regimes and feeling okay.

Annie

Cool headgear is awesome. What did you get?

BK gamegirl, thanks for the hat website!

Welcome Cin54 and MFPM, and Welcome Marilyn - hope all is well. My cancer was also one cm tumor and lymph nodes clear, but my oncotype was *36* so chemo had to come in to the picture.

Jonesy, Im glad the headaches are gone... I've been trying to stay super hydrated bc I get migraines and headaches easily but so far it's been ok.

Italychick, thank you for the reminder about the electrolytes. I've been having leg cramps and restlessness and I think that might help.

Who is else is working full time? I'm headed back Monday and so nervous

Nancy, please do not wait too long to get your incision checked out. Red and oozy are not usually good. Does it feel warm around the incision as well? Please keep us informed as to how you make out with it. I would suggest going to the walk-in clinic and do not wait to call your surgeon on Monday.

I am on my day 2 now and still feeling ok. Getting chills tonight and flushed face. Fatigue is settling in too. I had a big day today and cut my hair short! Eep! It's been very long for a long time so it's definitely a change, but not as emotional as I expected so that's good.

Welcome to our team, newcomers. Sending out love and positive vibes to everyone tonight!

Nancy did you get the Neulasta shot? A white blood cell count done? Is the fluid clear? My sentinel node opened up too during chemo and some reddish clear fluid came out. I think I had an undissolved stitch. It didn't get infected, but I got Neulasta and my white blood cell count and neutrophils stayed high. Definitely watch it and don't mess around. If your white blood cell count is low, you don't have the ability to fight an infection

Nancy and others, I kept an antibiotic prescription filled all during chemo. I got it from my primary Doctor, but worth asking either your primary, MO, or breast surgeon. It came in handy for me because during chemo I got stung by a bee and the MO wanted me to immediately start taking an antibiotic, and having it on hand saved me a trip to the emergency room. I got Keflex, because I am allergic to Cipro.

Just something to think about and maybe get to keep in your home tool kit.

Nancy, hope everything comes out okay. Will be thinking about you today

NancyHB,

I too will be starting chemo this month 3/22/2016, getting port installed the 18th. It will be AC to start every two weeks for 4cycles then Taxol. I still have Met testing to go, but this will be treatment plan regardless. I have decided to also do 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide as well. Best wishes to all of us!! I will post diagnosis after the mets testing is complete as my entire staging is clinical no surgery will be done til after chemo and I've moved through stages, so I've just waited til it's finally know

Seashine, I couldn't agree more with your MO. I use this board as complementary to my doctors. I stay away from random stuff on the internet. If I read up on things without context, it is both scary and unhelpful.

- I had a 2-hour specifically-tailored 1-on-1 chemo education session with my physicians assistant at the MO. Took my specific regimen, my timing, my existing lifestyle and my exact health profile into a very specific, individual discussion on how to proactively and reactively manage side effects. This is my reference for everything.

- I follow every order to the letter as far as diet, activity, supporting medications. I have had great success so far doing this, and don't see a reason to go rogue on my medical team. I have learned that speaking up about side effects is key.

- research here when something comes up that seems complementary. Example: I had a tender bum after week 1 and wondered how others dealt with that. I got some great complimentary suggestions, in fact, coconut oil has changed my entire outlook on dry skin and sore bum!

Good luck!!!

Seashine, I started TCHP in Feb and as far as side effects, all I can encourage you to do is address that as soon as they come up, no matter what they are. Round 1 for me was horrible. I let everything get bad befor I finally went back to the doc for meds. Round 2 was last Friday and I'm happy to report I'm already almost back to normal! As soon as I got a twinge of nausea I took a pill...at the first sign of headache, I took something...thrush, same thing. Treated it right away. As my MO reminded me...this is not the time to tough it out. There's a pill for everything!

I have the same diagnoses and there's so much incredible news about TCHP working wonders! There was a study this week from England that said they're seeing tumor shrinkage in the first 11 days. I went to see my surgeon this week and she said my tumor, once about 1.5" is now almost undetectable by touch! It's a tough road but it's worth it!