Anyone.Starting Chemo in October 2016?

After numerous delays, I finally have a chemo start date. Who else will begin chemo in October? If you haven't put details in your profile yet, it can be helpful for fellow forum members if you include information about which chemotherapy drugs you'll be getting in the weeks ahead.

I'm scheduled for port insertion surgery on 10/3 with chemo beginning on 10/11. Let's support each other during our treatment!

Lyn

Hi, Julesbabe55,

I just turned 62 years old and this diagnosis came out of left field. I now know that many of us assign far too much protective power to not having relatives with breast cancer. One of the first questions people asked when they found out I had BC is whether I had family with the disease like that was the primary reason we get BC. I'm using my experience to let friends know that the proportion of women with BC who don't have BRCA, including me with triple negative BC, far exceeds those who do.

Have you had a CT scan or echo yet? I got that done last week.

I went to a "Look Good, Feel Better" session. Have you been? The volunteer was super nice & the donated items are great, but she focused on makeup with only brief mention about head wraps and wigs at the end of her presentation. I've been trying to see a volunteer that the chemo class nurse said is great with wig fittings, but neither the oncology center nor the American Cancer Society could tell me when she's on site. Now that I'm closer to start chemo, I may have to call every day to ask if she's there or just go tho the hospital that's closer to me. I've rarely worn makeup or earrings the last several years, but plan to do so since I think I'll look very masculine without hair. I think my ear holes may have closed. I'm always hot so will probably gravitate toward basketball caps & lightweight scarves. Hey, no bad hair days, right?

I'm working on my shopping list. I already have Claritin, Immodium, an antacid (Costco's version of Pepcid, I think) and some tushie wipes. I confirmed that the infusion center will have ice, both for drinking and icing hands and feet. Where are you on your prep?

We're doing the same chemo protocol. Mine will be AC every other week for 4 cycles followed by 12 weeks of Taxol. You?

Lyn

I didn't get a bone scan or MRI so you probably don't need the CT. My drug protocol is pretty typical for triple negative, but I'm not familiar with triple positive. Each oncologist undoubtedly has her own preferences within standard of care. The time between AC doses probably gives the body more time to recover plus you'll have access to Herceptin to specifically target the HER2 aspect of your cancer while neither targeted nor hormone therapies are available for triple negative. Let me know what your MO says.

I'm really scared about what's ahead. With getting two opinions from oncology & plastic surgeons, two surgeries and a nasty infection that hung on forever, the process has dragged out far too long. I need to get started so I can get 'er done!

I think you'll like the nice kit from the makeup presentation. I did the business suit attire for many years, but developed severe Fibromyalgia and had to cut back to part-time work that lets me dresses casually. I've gotten quite lazy about getting spiffied up. ;-)

Lyn

I know none of us is looking forward to the treatments ahead, but welcome, Charlene1! I didn't realize that Taxol was given alone. Is that perhaps because you previously had chemo? I'm so sorry about the throat cancer. Is that possibly related to the breast cancer or just a very unfortunate coincidence? Do you have any required testing out of the way?

Lyn

VLH my BC is totally unrelated to my throat cancer seems I won the cancer lottery twice in a year. I have had all my testing done before surgery bone scan cat scan etc. I am confused about just Taxol as well When I asked my MO she at first said 2 drugs then when I asked her which drugs she said just Taxol but Chemo use said this morning a steroid would be added as well

Hi Ellen the waiting is the hardest part of this I will be headed for rads after Chemo as well

Char

Hi Sandy bee looks like we are starting Chemo the same day I have 12 fun filled treatments to look forward to, last one will be Dec 22nd. Hopefully I will be at home this xmas last year I was in the hospital which sucks?

You can post your info by going to your profile and under diagnosis treatment etc. After you enter your info go to settings and make it public

Char

Welcome, Ellen / Skiclaire and Sandybee! I know you don't want to be here, but the sense of camaraderie can be helpful during this challenge.

Ohmigosh, Ellen, what a whirlwind of activity! You'll already be in treatment before you've had a chance for the shock of the diagnosis to wear off, but I'm many weeks out and still can't quite believe I have cancer so that's probably a good thing. I'm a little surprised the oncologist scheduled you for chemo without knowing the HER2 status, but s/he probably plans to just tweak the drugs when the pathology work is complete in a few days.

Sandy, is the T in TAC Taxotere or Taxol and is the C Cytoxan or Carboplatin? I'm too lazy to hunt down the abbreviations. ;-) Blasted cancer is so sneaky that it could show up in a mastectomy scar if you'd had both beasts removed. Grrrr! I hate this disease.

Char, I think steroids are typical with Taxol or Taxotere. Two cancers shoo close together. Rats!!! With those odds, you couldn't win a nice cache of cash instead?

Lyn

Hi and nice to meet you, JR74! I am starting chemo tomorrow morning and even though it is technically in September, I think it makes sense for me to be joining your group.

Good luck with your port procedure!

I do not have a port for now, my doctor told me I have good veins and left it up to me. However, I already had my surgery (mastectomy right side, lymph nodes removed), so I am not supposed to use my right arm for sticks etc. Let me know how it goes with the port on Monday. Have a great evening!

Balbina, I also had surgery already..( bilateral mastectomy) on September 1st. With tissue expanders placed at the same time. I was actually surprised when my MO recommended chemo. I thought that since they removed everything and my lymphnodes were negative that I was in the clear! Although they did get everything my IDC (8mm) was grade 3 as well as the DCIS. So that and also being her2 positive and with my age(42) chemo is recommended to lessen the chances of reoccurrence. I'm not looking forward to it! I know none of us are, but I also know it's doable! I'm ready to get started and get it over with so it can be put behind me!

I went to our local ACA yesterday and received a wig free of charge. I'm still not too sure about it but greatly appreciate it. I think I'll go ahead and get a hair cut in the next couple of weeks. I'm so anxious about the hair loss, maybe cutting it will give me a sense of control when everything feels so out of control!

I wish you luck in the morning!! Update when you're feeling up to it

Thanks so much for stopping by with the words of encouragement, Kim!

Lyn

Looks good, JR74!

Skiclaire, so glad you got good news today! Any little bit of good news is huge these days! Good luck with port placement and chemo on Monday. Praying you have minimal side effects. I'll be right behind you as I get my port on Monday and start chemo Thursday of next week.

Welcome ecarrie! You're in the right place for support and information. I am fairly new here as well. I look forward to getting to know you and sharing our experiences! And I agree with you, this may not be the path we chose but we will handle it as it comes! We (definitely) got this

Hi Everyone,

Well wishes to all starting chemo in October. I will be starting chemo on October 20. Kind of scary. Not looking forward to the next few months. Hang in there everyone.

Hello everyone,

I am going to be getting my port put in on Tuesday Oct 4. I have my 2nd visit to my MO on Friday Oct 7. I am not sure if I will be getting my first Chemo treatment that same day or not. When I asked the lady that scheduled my appointment; she said that she wasn't sure. I guess I will be playing it by ear.... and finding out the chemo meds when they tell me or I remember to ask.