Starting Chemo in Nov 2016

Hi all. I started chemo Wednesday. Got my PowerPort placed Tuesday. I thought I was going to be getting Paclitaxel but it was changed (with my consent) to a study drug, Talazoparib daily, with Irinotecan every other week.

They started me on half dose, but I've been taking the full dose Talazoparib for 2 days now. My neck and shoulders are really sore, probably from the port placement?? I feel like a phython hugged my neck and shoulders and then shook me for hours.

My tumor is pretty big, but today it seemed to get even bigger/harder. (It's basically my whole breast). I'm not sure if that hardening is a good thing or not.

Hoping to find a local place to try on wigs. One I ordered didn't fit.

Glad there is this place to visit. . Take care ladies.

I had my port placement this morning. I couldn't believe how easy it was. I was actually awake through the whole thing but didn't feel much pain at all. Fast forward 7 hours and yikes! The anesthesia has worn off. I feel like someone punched me in the neck. Not as bad as the mastectomy pain though so I'll live. I got my wig yesterday. Not as cute as dbear's but I think I can get used to it putting it on without crying. I'll post a pic tomorrow.

Welcome new members and thank you to all who have posted about their chemos. It helps so much. I'm ready for my first one on Tuesday!

Everyone have a great weekend!

Sorella, I started exactly the same treatment on November 1st. My second round is next Tuesday. So far the worse has been stomach issues. According to my MO, is a side effect from my nausea pills. Hair is falling off noticeably more than normal, burn not a the a massive scale just yet.

Hi there,

MO booked my FEC-D next Tuesday, Nov 15, 2016, Neulasta to follow. I am nerve wracking now. I don't have the opportunity to attend pre-chemo class. Would I miss out anything?

My MO said I don't need Claritin for Neulasta nor I should stop taking my daily iron supplement & Vitamin C (I am anaemic), which is different than others. Any thoughts?

I am not 100% mentally ready for chemo but with the help of the pre-chemo grocery list from this board, I got most of the stuff for next Tuesday. The most reluctant to face is to lose all my hair...

gmmiph--You're posts put a smile on my face!

LovesLoons--Good luck on the study drug. If you can;t find a local place, the American Cancer Society can steer you in the right direction. There are a couple wig boutiques in local hospitals that they can tell you about and I also have an appointment on Monday for a place that specializes in hair prosthetic. My hospital gave me a list of places to check out.

Shadowcat07--there's a handful of us starting with you so you won;t be alone!

Coupon--I had already gotten the tour of the chemo floor during a regular visit to my MO, which truthfully put me more at ease. The orientation I had was basically going through the side effects of each drug and asking any questions. I feel like I got more info from this forum than I did from the nurse as far as tips for easing SEs. A lot of her answers were "everybody's different, but..." I'm sure the nurses will be amazing, they know how we feel for the first time. They see it everyday and will answer any questions you have along the way.

Welocme BClibrary!

Hi November Chemoladies,

Hope you're all fine.

Fot those about to undergo chemo like Pamela, Coupon and Shadowcat, here's a little advice for you. Try to surf and get all the information about the chemo drugs you will be using. You might as well do the same for the pre-chemo drugs like the anti nausea and steroids. Why? So that you can expect the Side Effects in advance and more or less, you would not panic and know immediatelywhat to do next. Many times, it is the Fear of the Unknown that causes us useless anxieties. Try to relax. Be sure, however, not to overreact, if you feel like you have one of the symptoms. Just let your MOs know what you feel.

Coupon, we have the same treatment, FEC-D. My first chemo went pretty well, except for a little constipation due possibly to the anti nausea and steroid drugs. But once you've completed all your drugs (pre-chemo, chemo and take-home drugs), in about one or two days after, you will feel much better, especially after you have pooped. Mine was like the Taj Mahal of India, and it was such a relief. Eat prunes to help you. If instead of constipation, you have diarrhea, eat apples, veggies and other foods known to stop it. Drink lots of hot liquids like green tea or non-oily soup to strengthen your tummy. I am a little worried about your anemia(is it confirmed?). Chemo drugs usually lower our blood counts more. I hope the vitamins you're taking are sufficient to keep your red blood cells stable. Your Mo should know this. I stayed overnight at the hospital just to make sure I dont have any sudden drop in my blood levels or any adverse reactions to the drugs. I also took Iberet Active for haemoglobin boost and as iron, vit B and C supplement. This, for 20 days after chemo.

Ladies, dont be afraid. We are doing these things to cure ourselves, not to have cardiac arrest from too much anxiety. Trust your doctors, they know better. The support of your loved ones is also very important. If you dont have any loved ones yet, get one from a singles bar quick! Your battelcry from now on should be KILL CANCER!!! Best of Luck and May God be with you!

gmmiph

Anyone else see the dentist and have them give you a scrip for heavy dose fluoride toothpaste to save your pearly whites during chemo/rads?

Nanpop- I asked my MO about my treatment and why I wasn't getting something else. He said that given all the information he has and the current research into treatment, the course he recommended was the gold standard to make sure distant recurrence is minimized. That trying and doing something else hasn't been proven to work and did I want to be the guinea pig on seeing if it would? He was joking, but it made his point. My scans are clean. And I WANT to kill any rogue cancer cells circulating anywhere in my body. So as much as I hate having to do it and am dreading the side effects of chemo, I'm going to pull my big girl panties right on up all the way to my chest if I have to and get 'er done. I want the treatment that works. That's been proven to work for my kind of cancer. Hope that helps.

I lost a lot of blood during my mastectomy that I had to get a transfusion. I am now in pain from the port. I feel so beaten up physically that I am concerned I won't be able to get through chemo. I don't eat when I am nervous. I lost 25 pounds since I was diagnosed. I am very thin. I can't seem to get a break. When I started I felt positive and ready.

As I read your stories, I am in awe that you have such strength.

Any ideas on how to get myself together?

Do they adjust the chemo dose to accommodate weight loss?

Should I delay chemo until I feel stronger?

Oh nanpop I'm sorry to hear you are having such a hard time. My "cancer team" at the cancer centre includes a social worker who I can talk to anytime I need to figure out my emotions, work on things with my family, deal with the stress of all of this. Check it out; there may be someone available for you to talk to. Also, I'm 99% sure they change the dose dependent on your weight. They weighed me the day I found out I was HER2 positive and needed chemo and met my MO. They weighed me the next day when I went back to see the RO. They weighed me when I went for my first treatment and then went and mixed the dose based on my weight that day. I have a feeling I'm going to be weighed more in the next year than I have been for the past 5 combined.

Talk to your MO about how you are feeling. It may or may not be a good idea to delay the chemo. You really need to talk to them about all of this,and sort out what is best for you and your case.

We are here to listen though! You will get through this!

Oh Nanpop, I feel your pain. I had the double mastectomy too and just when I felt like the pain was finally tolerable I had the port put in (yesterday) and I feel so beat up today. I cried in the parking lot after grocery shopping with my husband because I was so tired of being in so much pain. I'm doing the opposite however - I think I've gained at least 5 lbs this past month (stress eater). I do think the worst of the physical pain is over. Now it will be more emotional. I honestly get through it each day by counting my blessings, and I thank God it is me with cancer and not one of my children. Cancer sucks, but we can do this. Please see if your cancer center has someone you can talk to and hang in there. You're stronger than you know and you're not alone.

Hi Coupon,

About your blood condition, I wonder why do you ask your pharmacist? I think it would be wiser to consult your MO. He is the one evaluating you before a chemo session and he prescribes what meds and vitamins you should take. He orders a blood test for your blood counts. I got a CBC with platelet count a week after my first chemo. I just texted her the results, specifically my RBC, WBC, Neutrophils and Platelet count. That's all. Then she determines if they are acceptable and tells you. My RBC and WBC are both a little bit below normal but my MO says they are still acceptable. I do continue to take the Iberet, though, it's for 20 days. Then I do some research on how I could improve my blood counts more like eat Iron-rich natural foods like moringa leaves and dried prunes. As of now, I still feel normal, except for the constipation i mentioned before.

As for the hair loss, I am a bit puzzled myself. My MO says I will probably start losing my hair on Day 10, and today is Day 10, and I havent lost a single strand. Funny but for years, I used to normally shed quite a few strands but now after my first chemo, not a single hair. I dont know. I guess different women, with different conditions, different cancers and different chemo regimens react differently individually speaking. Now, I am a bit worried whether my chemo drugs are working or not. LOL. Somehow I get this funny feeling that I was given a placebo. I sure hope not.

Dont worry too much. Always see the sunny side of things. Humor yourself. Maybe that's my saving grace.

Fond thoughts,

gmmiph

Hi Gmmiph,

I did ask my MO about my anemia & currently taking iron supplement with Vitamin C condtion. He told me I don't need to stop these supplements for chemotherapy. He has been reiterating to live as normal as I could and don't change my lifestylle throughout this chemo treatment. However, he did mention if I meet with the pharmacist on 1st day of chemo, he/she would overthrow what he said... I had my read through this forum and seems most of the professionals suggest staying away from supplements, esp Vitamin C, I don't know who to follow.

In preparation of Tuesday chemo, blood work has done and I didn't get call from hospital about any anomalies on my blood work. I guess Tuesday will be a "GO".

You are right, since I found out I have anemia, I have been eating extra iron-riched food. Comparing to my Ferritin levels between July & Oct, it has been increased. I will ask for copy of blood work for comparison from now on.

Have a great Sunday!

Hi Coupon,

It is good to know that natural iron-enriched food has increased your blood levels. It is especially good for adequate haemoglobin to counter anemia. The keyword is "adequate", meaning just enough. You and your medical team or MO, should monitor your blood levels regularly because oversupply of iron can also be harmful

About your Vit C, if your MO says it is ok to continue, then by all means continue. His approval may possibly be based on the overall condition you have, your need for the Vit c since you are anemic, which is also complimentary to iron and Vit B. I did also read something about the contraindication of high dosages of Vit C and anti oxidants to chemo drugs because they say that Vit c and anti oxidants protect both the normal healthy cells and the cancer cells. The chemo drugs' efficacy against the cancer cells might be hampered by the Vitamin C and anti oxidants. But if your MO says it's ok, then I guess you just have to trust him. That is the reason why I put emphasis on the word "professional", meaning he has utmost diligence and care about his patient, aside from his expertise.

If for any reason there is a complication, corrective actions can still be taken, like lowering the dosages of the drugs and vitamins, or delaying the chemo in order for your anemic condition to improve, etc.

I hope this is useful info for you.

Best wishes,

gmmiph

Treatment 2 is tomorrow! I still have my hair. I'm chicken and can't bring myself to cut it, but my husband is going to get clippers ready. I lose some in the shower but nothing abnormal. Drinking a ton of water today!!! Good luck everyone!!!