Starting Chemo in Nov 2016

Hi all, new here. I was diagnosed in September of 2016, had my lumpectomy in September and started Chemo end of November. I just finished my third infusion of TAC. I have to say for me the worst part was losing most of my hair after the second infusion ( despite using cold caps) and the fatigue that sets in days 3-7. Otherwise I feel pretty normal. I also have the BRCA1 gene mutation so I have been concerned with reocurrance once I finish this battle. Anyone else in a similar situation?

Amyemm- what a bastard. Holy Crap! I can't believe that you are going through cancer and that bastard of a husband of yours is cheating on you... physically, mentally, hell, psychically. What do you want to do about it? Do you have options that you can scroll through to examine to determine the best course of action? And a plan to carve out some space to make decisions? And if you need to vent, come here and do that. We've got your back!

Amyemn, so sorry to hear about your husband. We are hear for you to vent, yell, or cry. You are so right about not needing the stress now, so if you don't alteady have a mood stabilizer like Ativan, you might want to get one.

Welcome Scramer.

I just finished my 4th AC today. For some reason I am pretty wiped out. The heart specialist wants me to do another echocardiogram and a stress test. I start Taxol in two weeks. Apparently, since my MO thinks my tumor is smaller I will not get reimagined until after Taxol.

Happy New Year Fellow Warriors

For those doing Taxol, can you list what the pre-meds were that you received?

Amyenm- sorry to hear of your added stress. This truly sucks and I hope you get this figured out soon.

Amw5- I had my first taxol yesterday. Pre-meds were 20 mg dexamethasone Thursday night and Friday morning. Pre-meds in my infusion were Benadryl and Pepcid. Today I have a red puffy steroid face. Hope your taxol goes well!

Happy New Year all- hope 2017 brings us all good health!
Kelly

Hi Everyone,

Amy I am really sorry to hear about your husband. Hopefully it is nothing serious that you cannot overcome.

I had really wanted to check in and respond sooner. There were many interesting stories. Nanpop, Marie, Leslie, Becky, Pamela, javamama....

At any rate I started my first Taxol on Thursday. I didn't get it on Tuesday because I wanted them to test me for a UTI because I have these strange sensations in my back. Well it was negative.

Found out my hemoglobin was low, so now I have to take an iron supplement. I noticed the difference the next day. No longer so tired and short of breath.

I'm having trouble with menstruation. Spotty period day 20.

Body aches with Taxol to be sure by day 3. Took Tylenol as directed.

Today, day 4, I felt better so I went for a short hike with family. Felt achy towards the end so came home and went to bed. Took temp and it was 100.2. Now waiting, watching, hoping I didn't over do it.

I'm still interested in the Facebook group BG46TN.

Good health

Had 7th Taxol on Wednesday and still feel terrible. Anyone else feel like crap for this long

hi - l rarely post, but keep up with this site. I started Chemo in November - TC. I found that I had pretty severe SE the first round, and now take Claritin 24 hour for the first two weeks or so of each cycle, and find I feel much better. Figured I would try it as I felt so miserable and had bought a package (I thought I would be on a trial for Neupogen too). It has proved to be magic for me. I get my final round next week - will be glad to be done that phase!

Dotter- how does the Claritin help and with which side effects

Leslie I'm curious as to how you do on Taxotere, I had my lasts AC Friday (yay) and start taxotere on Jan 20th...I get a 3 week break in between my AC and that...and then 3 weeks between each treatment...

I'm so afraid of an allergic reaction ugh!

A friend of mine had bc years ago, very young...I was talking to her yesterday and she said that the AC is the worst part, and everything from here on should be much better...I really hope she's right!!

hi Leslie, I'm on taxotere and cytoxan. I get to the infusion center get about 40 min of pre meds then they start me on cytoxan I think for 30 min the drip lasts then they start a drip for the taxotere that is 30 min. My SE are not bad. I don't get nausea but I stay on top of Nausea meds. Part of My pre meds is Benadryl . I usually just feel tired the first 4 days. I've had 3 out of 6 treatments i think the 3rd treatment was probably worse so far but doable. Good luck.

Thanks Hopefull. Going to hope it goes easy for me.

Nfull- I was doing ok until round seven. Mine are weekly with three weeks on and one off. Five more to go 😬

Hi Everyone,

I usually post in the December chemo group, but I enjoy reading here to see what is ahead in my journey. I go on January 11th for my 4 A/C and then will switch to 12 weekly Taxol. I have received the Neulasta home injector for each A/C? Is that your experience and will it continue with Taxol? Thanks!!! Julia

Hi Julia! -- I did AC once every two weeks for two months and with that the Neulasta patch. I now am doing once weekly taxol for 12 weeks. I had my first taxol last Thursday and if I didn't know any better, I'd swear they gave me a placebo. I felt great and had good energy and still do. I know fatigue is supposed to be get worse and worse, but I hope the nausea stays away. It was nice not having to feel that bad after a treatment. Oh and I do not receive Neulasta with these once weekly taxol treatments.

Patti