Anyone starting Chemo July 2016?

deevee903 · June 2016

Hi everyone!

This is my first post.

Well I'm starting my chemo on July 6, 2016. TCH 4-6 rounds depending on mammaprint results. I'm HER2+ so unfortunately oncotype is not of any help for me.

The plan is TCH every three weeks with Herceptin every week for 12 weeks. So basically I will spend a lot of time at my doctors office.

Very anxious so hoping to connect with others who will be starting soon too.

ladylalatx · June 2016

I start TC July 7th. 4 rounds, spaced every 3 weeks. I am also very anxious and praying for smooth sailing.

HelenWNZ · June 2016

Hi Ladylalatx great to hear from you we have a July group on the go right now and have been getting to know each other in the last few days. Please feel free to check us out as we are all Starting chemo in July as well.

deevee903 · June 2016

Where is that thread?

HelenWNZ · July 2016

hello again I found it in the I D C (invasive ducal carcinoma) Area. Anything doing chemotherapy in July. Sorry my skills aren't up to showing links directly. Hope to see you there soon.

HelenWNZ · July 2016

should be anyone not anything

farmerjo · July 2016

Starting AC plus T - was trying to find a thread for that specific regimen.

nye1980 · July 2016

I start TAC on July 20. Six cycles every three weeks. Trying to be as prepared as I can, but hoping to do okay. My MO decided this was better than AC+T since I'm young (35). What a wild ride this whole thing has been so far.

deevee903 · July 2016

Hi ladylalatx

Good luck with your treatment tomorrow.

I had mt first TCH round today and altho I was there for 7 hours it went VERY smoothly. Far better than I expected.
God sent me the best oncology nurse I could have had. I hope I wont get sick in the coming days.

Stay strong if I can do this you can do this.

Dee

ResoluteinAtl · July 2016

I'm starting chemo on 7/22, 4 rounds of AC every other week followed by 4 rounds T. I'll get a double mastectomy when the chemo is done. Still need to go through echo, scans and port installation. The good new is oncologist is letting me take the scheduled family vacation next week before beginning all this yucky stuff. I'm dreading the journey, but want to conquer this awful thing. I'm glad to join the group. While my friends and family are awesome, it will be comforting going on a virtual journey with people who truly understand.

Moderators · July 2016

Dear ResoluteinAtl, Welcome to the community. We are glad that you reached out here. We know that our members benefit from the support of others sharing similar experiences. We hope you will stay connected and look forward to seeing you. Have a wonderful vacation and come back to continue your journey with all of us. The Mods

Cwhitney · July 2016

I start chemo this Monday July 11th. I am getting Taxotere along with Perjeta for 6 cycles every three weeks then a year of Herceptin. I am extremely nervous about the needles and side effects. This makes my cancer VERY real.

deevee903 · July 2016

Cwhitney,

Welcome to this thread. I started this past week. I'm here to tell you that my experience was far better than the experience in my head. I've had no nausea at all. None. I had TCH. Just a little jitteriness and palpitations from the pre-med steroids. That's all....and I'm a bit tired, but that is nothing. Probabaly a lot of that is from coming off my stress cloud.
Let us know how you do.....trust me it wont be as bad as the scenario you are playing in your head over and over like I did for weeks. Welcome and best of luck om Monday.

Marlenelin · July 2016

Will likely be starting chemo in July. See chemo onco for the first time July 11. 3 cm IDC with 14 malignant extracapular nodes Had a lumpectomy and axillary node removal on June 13. Stage IIIc. ER/PR +, Her neg. Will be in the middle of a major move in August with $50,000 of renovations to the new house and homeless for a month since while on chemo I can't be around dirt and dust. Move and purchase of house was arranged before diagnosis. I am beyond depressed and scared.

deevee903 · July 2016

Welcome Marlenelin

Oh my......yours is a distressing story indeed. Im soooo sorry.

You can count on me to be with you on this board. I've had to take a leave from work bc I work at a front desk in primary care where every other person is coughing on me, so I'll be on my computer with nothing but time on my hands......I think communicating with others who are actually going thru treatment will help us all......we will get through this and come out stronger.

dee

CrawfordsMommy · July 2016

I start C + T July 22. 4 rounds, 3 weeks apart. I'm already nervous although the doctor and nurses say I will do fine. I get the port placed this coming week I think, and a ton of other appointments.

ResoluteinAtl · July 2016

Marlenelin,

I start chemo July 22nd. I sold my house, and the new house we are building won't be ready until September, so I'll be living in a corporate apartment. I can't believe the timing of everything, that I'll be dealing with chemo and not sleeping in my own bed. You and I will be sharing the "homeless" twist to our healing journey. Thinking of you.

Slkb · July 2016

I start July14 with 4 rounds of TC every 3 weeks. I am terrified and hoping I will be able to work though it.

Meow0369 · July 2016

hi this is my first post too. Saw onco dr today and I'm assigned taxotere and carboplatin for every 3 weeks for 6 cycles. I guess that's 3 months??I don't knw my start date exactly yet but mostly likely next week. I'm wanting to make a run for it only if I could. I'm jumping out of my skin. I hope your doing ok since you started. Any advice?

Meow0369 · July 2016

Veryrelieved it went so well!! May I ask why 7 hrs? I dont remember the duration of the actual treatment.

Kamiecake · July 2016

hello everyone. I started my first chemo 6/30, ready for round two this Thursday. In on A/C (my doctor calls it the red devil) 4 rounds then 12 rounds of Taxol weekly. Surgery will follow chemo.Ready to get this monster taken care of.

deevee903 · July 2016

Meow0369,

It took so long bc the loading dose of the Herceptin was 90 min. Then T & C were an hour each, both given slowly to watch for allergic reactions..... there were 4 other meds in between, (7 total meds) all the questions I had (lol) all the explaining for my sweet dear onco nurse, the bloodwork....Its a slow process. I was told next time 5 hrs.....woohoo

phil413 · July 2016

Hi! This is my first post also. I start treatments August 11, TCH every 3 weeks for 18 weeks, then radiation for 3 weeks. I've already had surgery, bilateral mastectomy w/immediate reconstruction. Everything went great and I feel really good. Not quite sure what to expect from chemo, so I wanted to hear what you all have to say

pebee · July 2016

Hi Everyone

Five years ago, I was starting chemo - I did 4 rounds of T&C before surgery and then 4 rounds of the big A&C followed by 2 rounds of Taxol and Cytocin after surgery. I remember that this was the worst time - not knowing and not able to comprehend. It was the expectations that was the hardest.

You will get through this. And, promise me that if this is not cured by your five year anniversary, you will come back and post.

You are in my prayers.

CrawfordsMommy · July 2016

Hey Pebee,

Wow, that's a lot of chemo. You folks are so much stronger than I am. I feel like I'm gonna fall apart, and I haven't even started the chemo yet. I keep running these nightmare scenarios through my head where I get every single really bad side effect and can't function and then spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair.

I know that's not realistic, but it's what my brain is telling me. The suicidal thoughts are back. I keep wanting to move to Washington or another assisted-suicide state because I'm too chicken to do it myself.

deevee903 · July 2016

Hi CrawfordsMommy

I to had a very bad scenario playing in my head. I've done exactly 1 round of TCH so far. The actual experience of having the infusion for me was the best it could have possibly have been...... However I still talk myself out of quitting daily.

I've had just about every side effect possible. My biggest fear was nausea/vomiting. I didnt have that! (with the help of Zofran)

You need to just put your head down and do it.....from your name I guess you have kid(s).....they need you. That's what made me decide to do it, my sweet granddaughter. (shes the one hanging by her belly)

Please come back here often.....I need the company. Dee

DistrictGirl · July 2016

Hi ladies - I just started TCHP on June 27th, and am gearing up for my second infusion this upcoming Monday. If you haven't started yet - the time leading up to starting chemo I think is the scariest. Once you're in there, you know what to expect and learn how to navigate the different side effects. It gets better!

Most of you will sail through this with minimal SEs and no serious complications! But if you do get them - believe me, you can handle it. I was hit with almost every side effect as well as a hospitalization for strep over the holiday - it was a really tough 2 weeks. But despite the complications and side effects we may encounter - we make it through - one minute, one hour, one day at a time. And it is all so worth it - my tumors shrunk significantly just after 1 treatment! Chemo is scary at first, but it's manageable and will start to become predictable for you as you move through treatment. And most importantly - it gets rid of the cancer!! You all can, and will!, do this!

I encourage you to check out the June thread or other monthly chemo threads to learn about tips/tricks for dealing with SEs and learn more about what the journey is like for some people.

Will be thinking of all of you! Best of luck!

Meow0369 · July 2016

Districtgirl, Thankyou for your support , I for one need it. Istart next week and don't knw any details yet like how long the sessions will be. I just knw 1 every 3 wks for 6 cycles. Is that 3 or 4 months? Don't knw. Did you use any cold caps?

Bird-of-light · July 2016

I started yesterday. 12 weekly rounds of Taxol + Herceptin and then Herceptin every 3 weeks for 9 months. The infusions were pretty easy. I am icing my hands and feet to hopefully save my nails and avoid neuropathy. I crashed immediately after my infusions for 3 hours due to the Benadryl and then was up until 2 am. Then back up at 7. Got a rash around my port that cortisol took care of. My chest is flushed, and I feel like I am coming down with an intestinal flu. But, no diarrhea. I went for an hour hike with my dog and grocery shopping. I also did a ton of housework, and I am afraid that I am not going to be able to sleep. I guess it's the steroids. It is 11pm and I am wide awake.

District Girl - I didn't choose to cold cap, but now I wish I would have. Check out Penguin Caps or Elastogel. Good luck!

Bird

CrawfordsMommy · July 2016

Hey DeeVee,

I never had children. I feel I am too unstable for that. I have fought mental illness my entire life and, for the most part, won. Unfortunately, it's always with you. It is a part of you. I've worked since graduating high school and always paid my own way, paid my taxes etc. Unfortunately cancer is taking that away from me and I feel useless. I felt pretty great mentally all the way up to the day I was told I would have to have chemotherapy after all. We weren't expecting an Oncotype of 26! Then I found out I get the hysterectomy and the oophorectomy due to my genetic testing. That is more money down the drain, more recovery time, and more everything. This is turning out to be a lot more than I thought it would be and my employer let me go. Now I haven't got any income.

So here we are and I'm doing what needs to be done. I'm sponging off my family now and this is after me being the primary breadwinner for 27 years. I feel like a personal failure and a burden.

My MO does not allow icing or cold capping in the infusion room, so I'm looking forward to possible neuropathy.

Crawford is my rabbit, and even he's been suffering from our lives being turned upside down. I've arranged for his care while I'm on chemo in case I can't take care of him. I read that you are very toxic after having the poisons put into your system (flush toilet twice, do not prepare food etc.) and I could not bear for my treatment to harm this most innocent of living creatures.

nbarkach · July 2016

I'm HER2+ also. I start Chemo this Monday July 18th. I will go once every 21 days for a total of 6 xs, then surgery. I took the first week off from work just to see how I adjust. How did it go for you so far?? I feel like I'm getting ready for the most unfun vacation in the world!

Anyone starting Chemo July 2016?

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