Anyone Starting Chemo in June 2016

Hi all! I don't have an exact date yet, but I believe I am starting my first of four cycles (TC) on June 23rd. I am 25 (just barely! May 24th birthday) and was diagnosed in April. I felt a lump in the shower one day, like a little marble under my skin at the bottom/underside of my right breast. It was fairly small, 1.4 cm, nodes were negative, clear margins. There was some DCIS in the right side as well. I had a fibroadenoma in my left breast but no cancer. I had a bilateral nipple sparing mastectomy on 5/19 and have tissue expanders in now. My Oncotype is intermediate, not sure the exact score. I'm also at the end of an egg retrieval process which will be done on Tuesday to freeze my eggs, just in case. Then I'll start on Goserelin, and two weeks later start chemo. I am going to try the Penguin Cold Caps during my treatment and I'm hoping they work for me!

Cancer is a scary word, but chemo might be more so. I handled the diagnosis just fine, and the mastectomy went great and I am feeling practically back to normal now. But chemo terrifies me. I do think that the anticipation and the image of what it will be like that I have in my head will be much worse than it actually turns out to be, but the not knowing what to expect is driving me crazy. So I'm thankful to have this forum to get tips and advice so I can face it head on and prepared. I'm trying to stay positive and channel this "fear of the unknown" energy into educating myself on what to expect and planning what I can do to make it as comfortable as possible.

I'm glad I will have you all to chat with during this experience! Good luck to everyone!

LJ, I had my port put in last Wednesday. There are no stitches, just glue. There is some sort of steri-skin painted over the top that I am supposed to leave alone. I was told it could be used the next day but it's better to let it heal because it will hurt more when newly inserted. Mine looks like a giant tadpole crawled under my skin Yours might be placed farther toward your arm. I wanted it inside so I could still wear my daypack for hiking. Here's a picture:

I am starting chemo June 10th. I am hoping to be able to continue working through treatment. I am feeling confident after researching and reading previous posts. Good luck to all.

Sadiemaebr - I can't remember the anti nausea I have, but will look tomorrow as I am snuggled in bed LOL. I know that I have 2, one is Zofran that is to be used if the other isn't doing the job. I found as long as I took the other every 5 hours I was totally fine. I don't have a port - I too figured that I would be able to handle 4 treatments especially spread out over 3 weeks. I admit I was scared to even think about a port!! I did not have the Neulasta patch, I went back the next day and had them give me a shot - my only reasoning was that the cancer center is pretty close by, and I always take the next day off from work, so I had no reason NOT to go there and have them administer it to me. I don't think it matters though so whatever is most convenient!

I will say for those that are looking to pack a chemo bag, I packed a lot of stuff, but didn't use hardly any of it. But that's probably because I brought my laptop and worked, and my hubby was there to chat and keep me entertained. :-) Volunteers came by pretty frequently to offer free snacks and drinks. I made sure to eat a bowl of oatmeal before going (7am) and was done by 1:30pm, so I think I may have had a banana to tide me over. I drank a TON of water - I was so thirsty! But my tastebuds changed after my first treatment, so water is no bueno now. I find that I can drink a flavored sparkling water with a splash of cranberry now, but plain water is just awful - so I will make sure to bring something to my next treatment this coming Thursday. I brought books/magazines... didn't read any of them. LOL But again, we are all different, do it's probably better to be safe than sorry and pack things just in case.

I had to buzz my hair yesterday... right on time. They say with the Taxotere hair will begin to shed by day 14 following 1st treatment. It did, and by day 16 I had to buzz it very short as it was shedding so much that when I took a shower it came out in clumps and ended up getting in a HUGE knot... hahaha. I really should have done what Heathet did and cut it short first!! I thought I would be more emotional about it - but I did okay when it actually fell out. I loved my hair and now it's a short, gray military cut. I am angry that now I LOOK sick - even though I don't feel it, and the cancer has been removed. I had some turbans that a friend had given me, so I put one on and ran up to Grand Rapids to a costume store that participated with the ACS wig bank - the owner is an 11 year ovarian cancer survivor so it was lovely to meet her and give/receive encouragement. I got the wig free, and washed it earlier today - dried it and flat-ironed it. It's pretty cute, I think I may be able to pull it off!! My permanent wig hasn't even shipped yet - and when it arrives I still need to have it colored and cut by my stylist. She had me buy a VERY long human hair wig in a color lighter than what I had. That way she could color it and cut it they way I had mine before. Apparently the synthetic wigs can't be colored?? I was able to get one for around $220. I also bought a halo wig - one of those wigs that is a ponytail only - and you just throw a baseball cap on when you just want to run to the store. Can't wait for that one to arrive!

Now that I've been through my first infusion, I am no longer fearful. I look back at my journey since February and how I've been able to push through my fears each time. Not because I'm anything special but merely because we MUST - what else can we do? I'm too young to give up - I've got a lot of living to do! I was SO frightened of surgery - I had never had surgery before. Then I was frightened of the chemo - that was my worst fear! Just taking things day by day and pushing through is all I can do. I have a lot of people praying for peace, and I can honestly say that I no longer wake up and think about breast cancer as my first thought.

I will keep you all in my prayers - I would recommend checking out the earlier Chemo groups to get an idea of SEs and experiences - it's very educational and I feel like I know all the ladies there - like when you read a book and feel like you know the characters :-)

On a good note - hubby and I have decided to install a pool in the backyard - I'm so excited! It's something I've wanted for 17 years! He said when we start having grandchildren, and we have a 3.5 month old granddaughter now, so no more excuses! Gotta start the refi process and pull permits, assessments, etc. I know it will be a pain in the ass, but darn it if I'm not excited!!

Off to bed - gotta go get my Facebook fix for the night...

Hugs and Kisses,

-Keely

Hi coffee-lover- I'm starting chemo Wednesday too! Fingers crossed for both of us.

Anyone know if nausea meds should be taken regardless so symptoms don't develop?

Also- if water will taste horrible after we start infusions, what have people put in it or been drinking instead? I'm sure wine is out!

Cleaning my house today since I probably won't feel like it later. Everyone stay well, or at least better than they were yesterday.

Heathet and Coffee-Lover,

I am type 1 diabetic and so was pushing to have no steroids AT ALL as my reading had shown that they raise the blood sugars massively. So I asked about other types of medication for sickness. I was told that I HAD to have steroids out in the infusion, but that I could get away with other anti-sickness meds after that. I was given Metoclopramide and Granisteron. I have to admit, that I have even been naughty here and NOT even taken much of these. My argument is that I would like to not hammer my liver too much if it is not needed. I may very well get a row for this but fortunately it has worked out OK so far.

I came in on Friday evening after first chemo and was OK til 11pm. Sick just ONCE and then slept well. Got up following morning and took only two tabs that day instead of 6, I was told to take. Lasted til 6pm, said hello to the bathroom floor again and then had a bath and had something to eat and bed. This is now my second full day since chemo and I am up this morning, have hung out washing, done dishes and cleaned kitchen. I have eaten an ice cream (still not brave enough to have adult food) and tried to drink lots of fluids.

Heathet, I was diagnosed about 7 weeks ago. Not staged (been too terrified to ask) but had a tumour measuring 1.1cm x 1.5cm. Grade 2 tumour, ER and PR positive and 3 lymph nodes removed and ONE out of those 3 came back showing micrometastases. This is why I am now on chemo (FEC80) for 18 weeks. Followed by radiotherapy and then Tamoxifen for either 5 or 10 years. I am doing OK so far. Just cannot be bothered with all the hospital visits and poking around.

I am not working at I am a teacher and doctor thought it best I stay away from any chance of infection. That has been helpful. All I have to do it just work on getting myself better. I have amazing family too and my mum has moved in with wee...wee lamb she is. I also have amazing friends who are willing to visit and even wash hands and use my Spirigel hand sanitizer AT the door. OMG...do you think I am being a little OCD about this?

I am planning on staying in the house except for walks around the garden and the odd drive to seaside. But I am attempting to make sure I DO NOT have to go to hospital with infections during my days 10-15 when the WBC could be really low.

I hope everyone on this thread is doing well and trusts that things WILL be OK. Nothing is impossible. WE WILL ALL GET THROUGH THIS!

Dolly

hi all!

I'm 4 days past my first treatment. I'm wondering if anyone else feels like this-

Day 1 and 2 I felt totally fine. I think the dexamethazone steroids helped.

I stopped taking the anti nausea meds on day 3 because they were making me feel like a zombie! I was in a fog. I am now just taking the Zarxio.

Anyone stop taking the Zarxio? It's making my bones ache soooo badly! I'm also really tired, but I don't know if that's the chemo or the Zarxio.

I am taking the Claritin with it too, and Tylenol. No help

My doctor told me it helps with bone pain, and some people on the forum have confirmed that. It doesnt seem to be helping for me though :-(

A vacay could be good in my opinion. Im feeling really low energy though, and Im 4 days out. So I would say it would be nice if you are going to lay around on the beach or something... but if its a sightseeing trip I would pass.

I begin dose dense w/taxotere and cytoxan in10 days. It helps so much to read the posts here about your experiences. I have IDC Stage 2 HR+ and HR2-. Partial mycetomy was on March 10th followed by sernoma, wound care, cellulitis and mild lymphedema. Now ready for chemo. This experience has already changed me. I hug my son and husband a little tighter and longer. I breath in the fresh air more deeply, I notice the sunsets, fireflies, smell of the summer mornings.... I am 80% at peace and 20% whinny butt.

My chemo will start Wednesday. I'll try on some wigs tomorrow.

LJ, I think they will still place your port if you have a cold, but they probably won't want to start your chemo until you are over it. But that' just a guess.

Keely, did your MO order the Neulasta as a matter of routine, or did you have some special reason for getting it? Mine will not order it because I am not 65 yet and don't have any co-morbidities. I think she'll order one if my blood counts go down too far, though.

Does anyone have SE's from the steroids yet? Fluid retention? Extra energy? Extra appetite?

Good luck, everyone! And HUGS!!!!

Today's the day. A/C chemo treatment #1. I'm a wreck! My stomach is doing flips. I don't want to get dressed. Couldn't get myself to go to bed until midnight. Ugh! I don't want to go.

BUT I will. I know it's my best shot at getting rid of cancer.

The almost funny thing is, I'm worried about what to wear and it has nothing to do with my port.

Maryannb88- The day will be over soon and you will be a survivor of round #1. Hang in and good luck. I follow u tomorrow.

Moon dust- don't know if this is a strange SE from steroid or normal, but I feel like I have a mild flu/cold with a low grain headache. Not at all hungry. Tummy doing flips.

Lirosewold- love that breakdown. I'm 85% cooking/feeding/over caring my kids and 15%-fuzzy. Feel better forcing everyone around me to eat the things I can't. We joke that my family will need to diet when I'm done all this!

Keep going everyone!

scared67- hang in. Keep the mantra "this will help me" and "it's only for a few months." Ten years ago I was diagnosed and my kids were young. I remember movie nights at home in bed with their favorite treats, sitting in back yard in chair with water balloons and water guns. Any activity where they could do while I sat and participated. One child did my make-up and gave me temporary tattoos! This time, they r older but still sittingwith me. You will do great!