Starting Chemo January 2017

M0221, I haven't really researched the chemo. I'm resisting becoming informed. All I am aware of is they give a steroid and something for nausea. I just assumed that it would be given intravenously. I appreciate all the info I receive here. I am curious why some have cytoxan and taxotere but not with adriamycin. My MO said I would need all three? Thank

M0221, will definately be thinking about you tomorrow. ..you're fortunate to have your hubby and best friend with you, will make it harder to flee! I guess from reading (and I've tried to do lots without scaring myself to death), the first few days aren't so bad. It's the 3rd or 4th day in that s/e kick in, right? Do you plan to work through your treatment or just take it as you can?

Hopefully your partners in crime will keep you laughing and otherwise occupied. Your in my prayers and wI'll look forward to hearing how your days do.

Thanks for the info on the port tomorrow, been a bit nervous about it but at least I get drugs

Jeanelle aka Zolagirl

Hello chemo sisters. Stopping in to offer support to you. I went through this in 2015. Not easy, but doable! Yep, you lose your hair....but it comes back! I have had 4 haircuts. My strength came back and at age 68, I am teaching exercise classes. My advice is be prepared! Take a laxitive the day of chemo. I took Colase. Anti nausea stuff makes you constipated.....not fun! Take Claritin day of chemo and for 5 days after if you get Neulasta shot. That helps with the bone pain you MIGHT get. Have your soda and salt water mix ready and use it often!

YOU CAN DO THIS!

Hi all,

I'm starting chemo on 1/2 following my port placement surgery. I believe it will be 6 rounds of the THP mix for HER2+ treatment of IDC which has spread to a spot on my pelvic bone. This is all very new and sudden (found the lump less than 2 months ago. I was diagnosed last month with final test results confirming stage 4 two weeks ago, I am only 41 and still shocked but very determined.

Mysunshine,

Thank you so much for the encouragement and the tips/advice! It's so wonderful to hear that you have persevered through this nasty thing they call cancer, and that makes it a little less scary (for me anyway) and more prepared for the fight! Best wishes to you as we carry on in this battle together!

Zolagirl

M0221,

Thanks for helping prepare me for my port surgery today..as you had said ( and for all you future chemo'ers), it really was not a big deal. Bruising and tenderness, mostly if I try and stretch my neck muscles. Chemo class was good, but truthfully, I've learned more here from this site!

I'm sorry for the issues with your steroid and hope you can get that adjusted so that your s/e stay somewhat under control. Hope your headache is better too....those things are miserable! Hound your doc and get that nausea under control....my doc said there are many different meds to try that anymore, nausea is one of the s/e that is easiest to get a handle on....who knows if that's true, but I liked how it sounded when she told me that 😊

Get some sleep so your body can fight!! Keep us posted how you're doing... (ONE DOWN....WOO HOO!!!)

Zola

I will be having Chemo sometime in Jan. I need to decide on the type, was given 2 different options

Holy Moly M0221 that is a lot of stuff. All needed? What the heck I better start looking

Hello Everyone - I'm popping back in and reading all the updates and comments! My first infusion is Jan 4. Had my port placed today and so far, no issues whatsoever. Just a nice little bump with bruising on my chest. They gave me pain meds, but I honestly have NO pain (not yet anyway). Had chemo class two days ago. Learned mostly about constantly monitoring my temperature and when to call or go to ER for that. And there was a lot of discussion about nausea and digestive issues and when to call or go to ER for that sort of thing. They provided a bunch of written information which I need to sit down and go through. I already have a list of questions a mile long for my MO when I see him next week. I'm having an Echo tomorrow. All in all, this s&*t is getting real now - I'm still pretty nervous about this whole chemo process.

In reading through the comments, I see that several of us are having the same treatment order (chemo first, surgery 2nd). Personally I'm glad to have chemo first - I can hold off on my surgery decision (lumpectomy? mastectomy? double mastectomy??) for a few weeks that way and see how the chemo does shrinking my tumor.

M0221, would love an update for you as to how your are feeling 2-3 days after your first infusion. And I am in awe of your preparation medication wise - in fact that post resulted in several questions added to my list for my MO!

Zolagirl, good luck with your first infusion tomorrow - please let us know how that goes for you!

nannisscared1 - sending best wishes to you as you start chemo! I agree, thank goodness for family and friends. I don't know what I would do without their support. One common remark I have read is that chemo suc but it's doable. Hang in there!