Starting Chemo May 2016

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  • srdc2013
    srdc2013 Member Posts: 25
    edited May 2016

    Hi ladies. Not happy to join this little party but no choice! This is my second go around on the chemo train. i was treated for Her2+ with TCHP in 2014, had a BMX and reconstruction and got that "Pathological Complete Response" only to be diagnosed with a local recurrence early this month. I start AC on Tuesday. I'll have four rounds, then 12 weeks of Taxol = Herceptin + Perjeta, surgery AGAIN and then radiation. Thanks for posting all your side effects from AC. I can give anyone info on TCHP - I had a hell of a time with the side effects from that one! I live just outside Washington DC and have twin boys who are 9. I hate putting them through this again. I had my port placed friday and dang that hurt! I didn't remember it hurting so badly last time. I'll check back in after Tuesday.

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  • labscientistmom
    labscientistmom Member Posts: 287
    edited May 2016

    srdc2013 so sorry you are doing this again! I had my port placed Wed and my chest is turning such lovely colors today. Its quite painful, I agree. I am thankful to not be dreading the multiple attempts for IV access though! ! I start Tues too, weekly taxol first then 4 rounds biweekly A/C. My son is 12, he's doing ok so far with it, although freaked out that I will lose my hair. Hang in there my brave sister, we can do this. :) I will post to you from "the chair"...I am in Los Angeles area. Blessings to you!

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  • labscientistmom
    labscientistmom Member Posts: 287
    edited May 2016

    also, calling it a party Is depressing..lets call it a battle, & all of us intrepid fighters need to support each other. be praying for you on Tues.

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  • laura_ingalls
    laura_ingalls Member Posts: 78
    edited May 2016

    dear lab scientist mom,

    I deeply Agree that this is a battle. Thanks for the prayers!!

    *

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  • labscientistmom
    labscientistmom Member Posts: 287
    edited May 2016

    you are so welcome!! I am a lifelong avid reader, have a soft spot for your username-sake. :)

    God is good all the time & He specializes in taking broken, shattered things and making something beautiful! Be strong all of you Ithis battle, you are braver than you think!!

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  • MemberNow
    MemberNow Member Posts: 8
    edited May 2016

    Thank you, @victoryak and @oaj2013 for your kind words. I had the port insertion done today and they had to go for a couple of attempts before they got it right. They couldn't find the vein on first attempt, and it all got delayed and went on till evening.

    And I actually developed cough by now and my MO said he would monitor and decide tomorrow morning to start or to postpone for a week.

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  • KQHill
    KQHill Member Posts: 50
    edited May 2016

    Lizzy - I'm having a similar experience. Let's hope it stays this way!!!

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  • cris8325
    cris8325 Member Posts: 42
    edited May 2016

    Going for my 2nd AC tomorrow. Hope all my blood counts are where they need to be. I shaved my head but my hair seems to be coming out everywhere. Getting to be quite annoying.

    Loopy

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  • Can2can
    Can2can Member Posts: 1
    edited May 2016

    Hello everyone. Diagnosed in April with IDC in left breast and the MRI found a meta plastic tumor on the right. Had a lumpectomy before genetic testing came back, which was positive for BRCA2. So after chemo I will have a mastectomy and whatever my gynecologist suggests when I meet with her later.

    I started chemo yesterday, six rounds of TAC. Both tumors are triple negative, but less than 2cm and no lymph nodes, so Stage I. I'm lucky we caught it early! Chemo itself wasn't bad. I was mostly nervous but my nurses were supportive and helpful. I'm glad I got a port and six days after that surgery it's healing nicely. So far no bad side effects. Only very minor nausea, but I can still eat and I usually feel better when I do. I get my Neulasta shot today and am hoping taking Claritin (started a few days ago) will only give minor bone pain. Good luck everyone!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited May 2016

    Dear Can2can, Welcome to the community. We hope that you find support and information here. Stay connected as you can and keep us posted. We are so glad that you reached out. The Mods

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  • salve777
    salve777 Member Posts: 27
    edited May 2016

    Hello Everyone!

    Today is Day 7 of my first TCHP treatment. I was able to go to school on our last day. I was supposed to be in school for one day but I didn't make it due to fatigue. I feel that I have to take rests in between tasks. I am glad that our administrator asked one of our reliable subs to help me today. My appetite is not 100% back yet. I spoke with one of my oncologist's nurses and she prescribed B12 for my fatigue and zinc for appetite. I have been having strange cravings for fastfood and the nurse said that it is okay to buy fastfood (sometimes). I am worried about fatigue when school starts. I hope that B12 will be able to help me with fatigue issues.

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  • cris8325
    cris8325 Member Posts: 42
    edited May 2016

    Home from 2nd AC. Feeling tired. Some sinus pressure. I was told that insurance has denied my neulasta shot even though my counts were low after the last neulasta shot. The nurses said they were going to argue with them and get back to me. Scary.

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  • Jennj99738
    Jennj99738 Member Posts: 34
    edited May 2016

    Hi, all. I have been through a whirlwind month of May. I wrote in a separate post but I figured I would join this board. I found a lump at the end of March, went to my ob/gyn, had a mammogram, biopsy and was diagnosed on May 6th with triple positive IDC. A very large 7 cm lump. PET scan was clear, thankfully. My MO wants to be very aggressive. I had a port implanted and started TCH on the same day, May 19. I have the Neulasta shot the next day. I am on a 6 cycle plan, once every 3 weeks. Then surgery. I'm still waiting for the BRCA test results.

    I have not had the nausea but have had some really bad side effects. First, the port. It still hurts. The incision is red but not infected. I have a rash all around it most likely due to adhesives but it still hasn't resolved. Two to 3 days after infusion, I had the worst headache I have ever had in my life times 10. I could barely lift my head. The pain went into my jaw and down into my shoulders. Nothing touched it. I was told tylenol and given a prescription for Tramadol. Tramadol usually works but not for this. Today is the first day I feel like a human being. Anyone know why this is happening and what I can do to resolve it for the next cycle? Secondly, my stomach. Feels like I swallowed a bowling ball. I have IBS normally but this is much worse. I have mild diarrhea and stomach cramping. I wonder if a probiotic would help? Finally, my mouth feels raw. No sores but just raw. I will ask for a scrip for magic mouthwash. I have tried rinsing with baking soda, salt and water but no luck.

    Anyway, it's not as bad as I feared but it's no picnic. That's for sure.

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  • laura_ingalls
    laura_ingalls Member Posts: 78
    edited May 2016

    dear Jenn.

    Try Claritin for a few days in the morning after the neulasta. That will help with the bone pain. Hope you feel better soon!

    Everyone. I noticed I feel better if I take a mild laxative for a few days after chemo...


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  • Jennj99738
    Jennj99738 Member Posts: 34
    edited May 2016

    Laura, I do take Claritin. In fact, I take it everyday for allergies. I would hate to know what I would feel like if I didn't take it. I saw MO today for a rash on my chest. He thinks it's still some kind of bad reaction to adhesives, disinfectants, whatever during my port implantation. My white blood count was through the roof, which the nurse said shows the Neulasta is working. MO says if it stays high, he might try to reduce the dosage of the Neulasta next time.

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  • srdc2013
    srdc2013 Member Posts: 25
    edited May 2016

    Jennj99738 - yes do start a probiotic to help your stomach settle down. My first treatment was TCHP and it destroyed my digestive system. Not to get too graphic but I lost 11 lbs in one weekend and ended up in the hospital. I take Align but there are several good options. I've had the bowling ball feeling all week too - not sure what to do about that.

    Otherwise I've found this first round of AC WAY more tolerable than the TCHP. The TCHP had me in the bed from day 2 on. I've been up and about and feeling decent all week, even went to a social event for an hour last night. The soreness started so I took an epsom salt bath and that seems to have helped. Now of course I worry it's not working. LOL.

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  • Jennj99738
    Jennj99738 Member Posts: 34
    edited May 2016

    Thank you so much, srdc20W. My digestive tract feels like it's raw inside. If you don't mind my asking about your protocol, my MO has me on TCH, every 3 weeks for 6 cycles. I've been through one cycle. I saw my breast surgeon why my MO didn't give me Perjeta. Do you have the Perjeta the whole time? Now I'm worried my MO is wrong and now it's too late or my surgeon is wrong. It's exhausting.

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  • OAJ2013
    OAJ2013 Member Posts: 85
    edited May 2016

    Round 3 of AC today! On my birthday! The gift that keeps on giving! Hahaha

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  • cris8325
    cris8325 Member Posts: 42
    edited May 2016

    OAJ2013, please let us know how it goes. I will be going for round 3 on June 15th. Good luck!

    Smile

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  • KQHill
    KQHill Member Posts: 50
    edited May 2016

    OAJ, that sucks eggs but HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

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  • salve777
    salve777 Member Posts: 27
    edited May 2016

    Happy birthday, OAJ!

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  • Edu
    Edu Member Posts: 18
    edited June 2016

    Hello ladies :) first time poster, long time lurker. My name is Edu and I just got home from my second infusion. I'm cold capping, running, acupuncturing, ayurvedaeing.... And driving my doctor crazy in the process. Regarding my diagnosis, I am stage 2a, 14mm tumor, had lumpectomy, sentinel removal and micro mets 2mm on a node. I am also her2 triple possitive so I'm throwing the book at it. I'm doing TCH 6x every 21 days. For the first infusion I had heartburn, constipation and diarrhea, and was truly down only one day. The other two I stayed in bed because i was sad. For this round I'm a bit more emotional because i began what is called "the big shed" in cold capping, I'm thinning some and I just hope it stops soon, also my boyfriend has a cold so he is staying away and I'm on my own. Prior to diagnosis I was vegan, I am now a vegetarian who eats eggs, kefir and the occasional fish bone broth. I am also a fan of clean food and products, so I try to incorporate that to my treatment. I will be on lupron for two years, herceptin for a year and Hormonal therapy for 5-10. Such is life. I wish all of us the best.


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  • OAJ2013
    OAJ2013 Member Posts: 85
    edited June 2016

    Thanks ladies for the birthday wishes!!!

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  • MemberNow
    MemberNow Member Posts: 8
    edited June 2016

    Happy birthday, OAJ!! And good luck with round 3, hoping you get through this with minimal side effects!!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2016

    Hey Everyone,

    I am in hospital tomorrow for a MUGA scan and then chemo on Friday. Is this right? Is it K to have radioactive stuff in you one day before they put chemo in?

    I am a little anxious, the closer my chemo date gets. But it is good to read all these wonderful posts and to hear how so many of you are doing so well whilst getting treatment.

    Thanks

    Dolly

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  • Jennj99738
    Jennj99738 Member Posts: 34
    edited June 2016

    Hi, Dolly-- That's what I did. I was diagnosed and started treatment two weeks later. I had the MUGA scan on a Tuesday and had the port implanted and my first infusion all on Thursday. The amount of the radioactive stuff is really small. I had a PET scan (also radioactive) the previous Friday. If you could provide a little bit more about your diagnosis and the chemo regimen, someone here will be able to tell you how they are feeling. Everyone is different but it might help to hear from someone undergoing your same regimen.

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  • OAJ2013
    OAJ2013 Member Posts: 85
    edited June 2016

    Anyone having sex? I'm afraid of getting a yeast infection. I've always been so sensitive down there...

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  • mlopez77
    mlopez77 Member Posts: 7
    edited June 2016

    Good morning all! I am a 36 year old, single mom of 3, a registered nurse, and live in the Raleigh area. I have a boyfriend of 10 years. However, I had to relocate last year for my job, so unfortunately we are now doing the long distance thing until his contract is up in 2017. I was diagnosed in March with IDC in the left breast, stage IIIA, grade 2, 7/27 lymph nodes +, ER+, PR+, HER2/NEU -. Genetic testing showed BRCA2 mutation and CHEK2.

    Had bilateral mastectomy with tissue expander placement on April 25th. Started AC on May 31st. I was a nervous wreck. Glad that is over with. Not as bad as I thought. I have had a terrible headache on and off all week since my first treatment. Then two days ago the sores appeared on my tongue. I was brushing with a soft bristle toothbrush after every meal, gargling with salt water 4x daily, drinking 80 oz of water a day, rinsing with mouth wash for dry mouth, and still managed to get sores. I called my nurse and she called in some scripts. My mouth is feeling a little better. Any advice for the mouth sores?

    What type of foods are you all eating? I can't eat anything, or should I say I don't want to eat anything. I've lost 25 lbs since April 25th. I can still lose another 30 and be alright ;) Nothing is appealing to me, and if it is, I take 2 bites and I'm done.

    OAJ2013 I was wondering about sex too. We had sex after my mastectomy. That was fine. He's coming to visit the end of this month and I am really nervous about sex. It is such a huge part of our lives. It's not that I don't want to, I just don't want to do anything to hinder my treatment plan. My oncologist said it's fine to have sex during treatment just avoid the first 48 hours. He also said to use condoms and to take it slow. We'll see.

    Thanks ladies for sharing your story. I hope to keep in touch through this journey.


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  • laura_ingalls
    laura_ingalls Member Posts: 78
    edited June 2016

    Dear mlopez,

    I have also lost a lot of weight since starting chemo. Here is what I can bear to eat:

    soft boiled eggs, a lot of fruit like mangos, oranges, watermelon, coconut water, ate pizza once or twice, nuts. ginger tea with cardamom and milk and cinnamon...basically chai, spinach omlettes, hamburgers made with ground beef, split pea soup, cabbage, lamb stew, broccoli, chicken soup.

    Taking the nausea pills every 8 hours for a few days after the AC helps me a lot. Also, I take a natural laxative from whole foods the first few nights.

    Finally, I also go for acupuncture after the AC. I just had my third round of AC and its the worst yet. Thank god only one more! I have been on the couch the whole day.

    Good luck to you!

    Laura*

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  • mlopez77
    mlopez77 Member Posts: 7
    edited June 2016

    llaura_ingalls how did you do with your first treatment of AC? Does it get worse with each treatment? Did you get any sores in your mouth? I would be ok if I could get rid of these sores on my tongue. It's a constant burning. I've been eating soggy cereal, applesauce, and greek yogurt. I actually felt hungry today, but I'm so hesitant to eat with these sores.

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