Starting Chemo January 2017

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M0221
M0221 Member Posts: 45
edited June 2017 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I thought I would go ahead and start this group. I am actually having my first infusion of Taxotere and Cytoxan on December 28th, but with it being so close to the end of the month I figured I would be more on the same schedule as the January chemo group.

I had my port placed today...not nearly as difficult as I was anticipating. Very minor procedure. My throat is sore and my neck is a bit stiff but no pain at all. So thankful! I was actually dreading this more then my bilateral mastectomy I had October 25th.

Thankful to have the next week and a half to get ready for Christmas without the nasty side effects of chemo.

Wig shopping this Saturday with my daughter and my sister!

Wish we didn't all have to be here, but SO thankful we will all have each other. I have been brave for everyone around me, but it will be nice to have a place I can actually let people know that I am anxious and afraid.


We will all get through this together. This will be our marathon, not the sprint we would all like it to be.

Starting Chemo January 2017

M0221 - December 28th

Zolagirl - December 30th

Naniisscared1 - December 30th

IIIimae - January 2

sweatybetsy - January 3rd

Ang905 - January 5th

MexicoHeather - January 16t

ThisIsMe4No - tbd

showmama - tbd

Positive2strong - tbd

Provence - tbd

jbelcher - tbd

jadisn - tbd

Newt72 - tbd, port placement January 6th

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  • Nfullblume
    Nfullblume Member Posts: 171
    edited December 2016

    M0221, I'm in the November group and am doing well. Stay positive, that is 75% of the battle! I found this post on Pinterest and thought it would be good for your group to read.

    http://thestir.cafemom.com/healthy_living/137918/t...

    Good luck! Pm me anytime.

    Rachel

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  • M0221
    M0221 Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2016

    Nfullblume, Thank you for the link...great information!

    I have had my chemo education visit and picked up all of my prescriptions. Very overwhelming but certainly doable!

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  • M0221
    M0221 Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2016

    Anyoneelse starting Chemo in January 2017? I am actually having my first infusion December 28th, but figured I am more in line with any January chemo starts. I will try and keep the list of us January people updated as people give their dates.

    I find that I am more nervous as the start date gets closer. Living on about 3 hours of sleep a night.

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  • ThisIsMe4Now
    ThisIsMe4Now Member Posts: 12
    edited December 2016

    Hi M0122,

    I start chemo at the end of January. I met with my onocologist today and need to get testing done on the tumor to see the HER2 results. Results on the initial biospy was unequivocal. Once those results come back, they will have a better idea of chemo drugs but I will have a hormone suppressant drug.

    Had my bilateral mastectomy on December 7th and still recovering. I'm stage II b

    I'm just a ball of emotions right now. My friends and family have been amazing but I'm just looking to talk with others in my shoes. I know the feeling of being strong and brave in front of people and wanting to cry most other times. I'm definitely anxious and afraid too but this too shall pass.

    Wig shopping sounds fun! Hope you find some great ones.

    Despite the less than ideal circumstance, I'm so excited for Christmas and am hopeful that 2017 will bring some good into my life!

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

    ThisIsMe4No, welcome to Breastcancer.org. Sorry you had to join us, but glad you found this wonderful community to share your story, ask questions, get support and support others!

    If you have any questions or comments for us, do let us know. We're always here to help.

    Kind wishes,

    The Mods

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited December 2016

    Wanted to jump in and give encouragement to all who enter this board!

    Five years ago - on December 27, 2012, I started chemo - had a 6 cm tumor

    9 positive nodes - Her 2 Positive - I'm alive and well.

    Then, within 3 years my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 80 - Stage 1

    Then my sister, Stage 3 - I won't go into all the details - only the good news.

    We are all alive and thriving - my sister and I thank God for chemo everyday.

    It is no fun while you are in the midst of it, but you will be so happy you did it in FIVE YEARS!

    Sending my best!

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  • showmama
    showmama Member Posts: 8
    edited December 2016

    Let the battle begin! I just received my pathology report yesterday following my dmx on 12-6.  What we originally thought was two separate DCIS tumors came back as one of them being ILC.  I spent all day yesterday crying while all my friends were texting me how brave I was.  (I did not feel brave) I am grieving the loss of what I though was the end of my treatment so I am now awaiting an apt with an oncologist to discuss the course of chemo.  I will have my porta cath placement on Jan. 6.  Glad to hear it is not so bad.  I will be praying for you on the 28th!  I am having my first saline fill that day.  Let me know how it goes, I definitely know how it feels to have everyone around you "think" you are a brave warrior but feeling like a scared kitten.  I am here for ya girl!!! People keep saying. "you can do this." Of course we can, we are tough but it doesn't mean we want to to it.

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  • sweatybetsy
    sweatybetsy Member Posts: 6
    edited December 2016

    My first post to join the Jan 2017 Chemo group. I found the NOV/DEC chemo forums so very helpful. I'm getting chemo class, port placement and my EKG all next week, my first chemo appointment is set for Jan 3. I'm doing chemo before surgery also, so ALL of this is still very new for me and frankly, I'm still feeling pretty shocked about everything that has happened in the past 3 weeks.

    I'm extremely nervous but I'm ready to get this ball rolling and start killing these cancer cells invading me!


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  • M0221
    M0221 Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2016

    ThisIsMe4No,

    Sometimes I think the waiting for a treatment plan is the hardest. I am praying you can enjoy Christmas with your family and friends. I too am so anxious about starting Chemo, but looking forward to Christmas.

    I am also fortunate that I have a supportive family and amazing friends! It's just hard because I definitely want to protect them through this, especially my children. So when I am feeling less brave I often have to hide my emotions.

    Wig shopping wasn't as fun as I thought it would be. It was hard...in the end I realized they are wigs and they will alllook like a wig. I didn't buy one today because I couldn't find one the was 'me'. I will have to decide on one soon.

    I plan on staying off this site for a few days to enjoy 'normal' time with my family.

    Merry Christmas!

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  • M0221
    M0221 Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2016

    Thank you Denise-G!

    Congratulations on 5 years!!!!!

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  • M0221
    M0221 Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2016

    showmama,

    Sorry you got the rug pulled out from underneath you! This all just stinks!

    That is great you are getting your first saline fill. My PS wanted to do a delayed reconstruction so I won't even get expanders until treatments have finished.

    You will do fine with the port. I honestly had no pain with it at all. Sore throat and a bit of a stiff neck for 48 hours. Other then that just bruising.

    Hope you have a wonderful holiday

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  • M0221
    M0221 Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2016

    sweatybetsy,

    I completely understand! It's a whirlwind for sure. The past three months are a blur. Hang in there and try to enjoy the holiday.

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  • CarolynT
    CarolynT Member Posts: 13
    edited December 2016

    Hi - I am here for my sister who is starting chemotherapy in January. I'm really worried about the side effects. I know it is not going to be easy for her and I want to be able to help her as much as possible. I have been doing a lot of research which led me to this site. I have found a lot of useful information here. It is helpful to be connected with others who are going through the same thing as my sister. I hope everyone has a good holiday.

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  • sisterhasbc
    sisterhasbc Member Posts: 18
    edited December 2016

    My sister will also start chemo in January and I am thankful to have found these discussion boards for tips and encouragement on how to help her cope with this. Thank you for sharing your experiences and best wishes to al of you

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  • Provence
    Provence Member Posts: 20
    edited December 2016

    Hi all, I go to oncologist January 10th to give him my go ahead for chemo treatment. I'm having further testing on my tissue for hers2 and an echo. He recommends 3 chemo drugs. Adriamycin, cytoxan and taxotere for my best odds against reoccurrence. He doesn't like ports because of further risks, so I will IV every three weeks. This all started Nov 8. They found micro calcification on my mammogram. This is happening so fast. So much info to understand. I appreciate the support Ive found here! Wishing you all a Merry Christmas

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

    Hi Ladies- Just some further words of encouragement from an "Aug 2016 Chemo Board member" lol!

    I just finished #6 of 6. Did it suck, yes- can you all do it- absolutely! This board will be a great support and a place to vent. It was really helpful to also read different ideas on combating any side effects! Some side effects are just more of annoyances (like right now my eye is twitching lol), others make you feel like you have the flu. The thing to remember is it ends, and you can push through it.

    Enjoy your holiday....let chemo kick cancer in the Arse for you!!

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  • Positive2strong
    Positive2strong Member Posts: 316
    edited December 2016

    Dear Denise,

    Thanks for posting. I will start chemo in Jan. I didn't think I would need it but now because of high risk mammaprint they are recommending.

    They say nothing about an orientation just I will do fine, maybe because it is the holidays


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  • M0221
    M0221 Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2016

    Provence -

    Merry Christmas! Sorry you will have to be in our January group. Stinks for sure, but we can do this!

    My MO said absolutely 'no' to taxotere without a port so I had mine placed 12/13/16. I guess they all have their differences of opinion and preferences. I don't think I have read 2 exact protocols anywhere on this board and there are a lot of us here.

    Keep us posted on when you will start.


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  • M0221
    M0221 Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2016

    ajbclan -

    Thank you for your encouragement and CONGRATULATIONS on completing #6 of 6! Woohoo!

    Merry Christmas!

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  • M0221
    M0221 Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2016

    Positive2strong -

    Sorry that you now have to have chemo. That stinks when you believed you wouldn't need it. That happened to me with radiation. I was sure that a bilateral mastectomy with negative nodes had me in the clear and then I got the report of a 'close and questionable' surgical margin. Better to be safe though, so I will Forge on with a smile.

    I hope you will be given some chemo education. It was helpful to me just so I knew exactly what meds to take when and to be able to have all the prescriptions filled well in advance

    Chemo for me was because of my oncotype score, premenopausal age and grade 3 tumor.

    Keep us posted!

    Merry Christmas!

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  • Naniisscared1
    Naniisscared1 Member Posts: 7
    edited December 2016

    hi I was supposed to start chemo on the 23rd December but my oncologist rang and said they had an emergency patient so they put my first chemo forward to the 30th. It's strange I was so scared but reading all the positive comments and advice on here has really helped me. I am having it it through iv every three weeks. Hopefully this feeling of strength will stay with me when I have to go for my first treatment. My best wishes to you all. Merry Christmas and happy new year.

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  • Ang905
    Ang905 Member Posts: 9
    edited December 2016

    starting Jan 5. I feel as though I been hit by a truck. Port placement Thursday and extremely anxious and nervous to start this process.

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  • M0221
    M0221 Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2016

    Naniisscared,

    You and I will be going through this just about the same time. My first infusion is December 28th. I am feeling anxious, but trying to get everything organized so that anything I may need is right there.

    Keep us posted on how you do

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  • M0221
    M0221 Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2016

    Ang905,

    I start 12/28. I completely understand feeling anxious, I'm right there with you.

    Woke up from a nap the other day in a full fledged panic attack...never had one of those before. I used to think people over exaggerated about panic attacks and didn't understand why they just couldn't pull themselves together. Now I know how real they are.

    I had my port put in 12/13/16 and didn't have any pain at all. Just mild soreness and bruising.

    I hope you get a chance to rest and relax a bit before your first infusion.

    Keep us posted

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  • Naniisscared1
    Naniisscared1 Member Posts: 7
    edited December 2016

    mo221

    I know what you mean about preparation. I think I have brought out the store. My family's say I have enough items for ten years but it helps with the nerves. Love the shopping lists on this site. So helpful My daughter brought me a back pack with all the items I would need if my temp gets too high and I have to go to hospital as I also suffer from copd. Please let me know how your treatments go. I am having 6 months of chemo every 3 weeks at this stage. I'll be thinking of you and every one else who is on this roller coaster.

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  • jadisn
    jadisn Member Posts: 9
    edited December 2016

    I'll be starting in Jan too

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  • Ang905
    Ang905 Member Posts: 9
    edited December 2016

    Mo221 I feel like I don't know how to relax anymore, I'm petrified. Keep us informed on how it goes tomorrow.

    How is everyone preparing?

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  • jbelcher
    jbelcher Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2016

    Starting Chemo January 2017 followed by surgery and radiation very anxious over here. I am a triple positive and I am still learning a lot about that.


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  • M0221
    M0221 Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2016

    image

    imageAng905,

    I went by a post in the Chemo forum titled More Chemo Tips and a shopping list.

    I also re-did the meds list they gave me at my chemo education visit into something that was easy to read for me or any caregivers at a quick glance.

    I bought a basket and labeled all the kids of meds with a black sharpie so they are easy to find. I also bought a pill box with morning and evening boxes. I loaded it for a week. That way I will know if I have forgotten to take a med. I set an alarm on my phone for daily reminders to take meds at 7am and 7pm. Any meds I need for nausea or constipation/diarrhea etc... are in the box and at my fingers tips if I need them.

    I ordered headcovers from headcovers.com and will be ordering my wig Thursday. I had very long hair and went chin length last Friday so the change would not be so drastic. I will get a pixie cut 14 days after first chemo.

    For now I am as ready as I can possibly be

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  • M0221
    M0221 Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2016

    jbelcher,

    I will add you to our January list. Hate that you have to join us, but I am sure glad we have each other!

    Keep us posted on start dates

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