Starting Chemo January 2017

THISISME, sorry for all the waiting. I too am still in the hurry up and wait. I had sx on Dec 9, cat scan last week showing something on the kideny, need to see a urologist. Had my echo today and am waiting for chemo start date and hoping the port will be input soon. I dont understand all the delays. Im joining you on being bummed

jadisn, I was told the same about nails and Taxol, not AC, and my center is very proactive about that stuff. I'm sorry you got a nurse with attitude. There are a few out there and you do not have to take it. Ask to talk to her supervisor. Be assertive, because if not now, then when? (I'm getting my second AC this morning.)

Hi ladies, I have been absent but wanted to pop in and say hi. I had my first meeting with my oncologist on Tuesday and we're starting chemo this coming Tuesday. I'll be doing AC for four rounds over 12 weeks (since I'm pregnant they don't want to do the growth factor that allows you to do the treatments every two weeks, so mine will be every three weeks). I am so anxious to get started. I'm certainly not excited but I'm happy to be doing something. I got my port put in yesterday and am doing my orientation to chemo on Monday.

Goincrzy8- I agree that you would think it would move quicker. For my mastectomies, because I decided to do immediate reconstruction, a plastic surgeon was required and there was only 1 plastic surgeon in the area. You would think they would have more. Also, the chemo scheduler was out for the past few days so I couldn't get a firm dates on openings. It's crazy! I managed to get my echo moved to Monday only after telling them I would be willing to travel to other facilities in the area. I realized you have to be proactive in your care. I also hadn't had any surgeries and have only been in the hospital to have my kids.

We do have this!! Just keep bugging people until you get what you need!

I think that's a great idea.

Hi all, just jumping on to hopefully encourage you all in this crappy process! Goingcrzy8 I had the same chemo regimen, but did not get a port- everyone I've seen seems to do just fine with the port, so hang in there!. Kara- I would be down and out on days 3-5 pretty much. Then as I started to feel less flu like, other side effects would come into play. I'm over a month out of my last one and I still feel like I'm getting some fatigue, neuropathy and heartburn.

Wishing you all the best in your journey- I remember everyone telling me "congrats on being 1/2 way through!" and I kept thinking "how many more do i have to do?!!" It's a emotional and physical rollercoaster but so helpful going through it with others here.

Hi SkiChick - sorry to hear that you have to undergo treatment during pregnancy.

I am in Singapore and will start 4 rounds of AC, once every 3 weeks followed by 12 weekly Taxol on 25 Jan. No port installed as it will be given via IV

Hope everyone's pulling thru. I just had my second weekly tax/herceptin with perjeta treatment on Thursday. Everything was good till Sat morning, I developed this horrible rash/hives all over my face and neck. It scared the bejesus out of me! Of course being the weekend, the doctor didn't return my call. I used Benadryl cream and thank god, it was gone Sunday morning. Now I'm sitting here with diarrhea and nausea. I'm feeling anxious now because I never know what to expect. I hope I don't end up with every side effect in the book. Sorry for venting, I know everyone's going thru it also. Power thru

dp1- I'll be on the same regimen as you (plus carboplatin) whenever chemo starts, hopefully next friday! Sorry to hear about the hives! I too am worried about getting all the SEs. It would be just my luck too. Vent away!

Mack- Hi! Glad to hear it's not too bad for you. I heard that a salt and water mixture is good for the mouth sores. Good luck!

Hello again,  just waiting for the port placement this Wednesday then 1st chemo on Friday.... Taxol (for 12 weeks & Herceptin (for a year). Gosh everyone's post is so different as far as SE's. Just goes to show we are all different, this cancer has no limits!  Can you tell me how I can be added to this group? I don't see my name, and it's gonna be a long 12 weeks, and I need you gals.

Best wishes for all and keep the faith, God is the healer.

Tomoveforward: Welcome and may God watch over you during the port placement. It's still a procedure to go through and you only have one down day, so rest up.

Dp1: This is the place to vent/ put it out there. Keep going!

Mack: Welcome to the board. You made your first post! Share as you feel moved. We are learning new things EVERY day.

Hi Ladies. Sometimes I feel like Im hanging on by a thread emotionally. I went to pick up rx today and got emotionally seeing all the anti nausea meds and the wbc boosting injections, which I didnt know I had to administer myself. I guess I can only handle what I prepare myself for and anything additional makes me lose it. Lol. I am have my port placed Thursday and chemo starts Friday. I'm ready to start.

2move- Looks like we have alot going on this week! Hope your first chemo session goes well.

MexicoHeather- Glad to hear you're not experiencing bad SEs. Hope it continues. I'm going to shave my head soon and just wear head scarves. I dont think I can handle it coming out in patches. Hope #2 goes well for you.

Catgirl- Sorry to hear of your fatigue. I'm glad your constipation has alleviated. I heard a salt water mixture can help with mouth sores.

Hope everyone is doing as well as can be!

Hi ladies, I just wanted to stop in and say hi. I had my first round of A/C yesterday. The infusion itself wasn't bad at all, but now I'm sitting around waiting for symptoms to show up. I had quite a bit of heartburn overnight but I'm not sure if that's from the chemo or the pregnancy.

Thisis4menow - I completely understand what you mean about hanging on by a threat. Most of the time I feel fine but then I see something medical that makes me realize that this is real and it's happening to me and I lose it. I had a really hard time the first time I saw the infusion center two days ago. The center itself was nice, and I've seen an infusion center before when my dad was going through chemo a few years ago. But seeing all those sick people and realizing I was one of them was really hard.

Ann-sg - Good luck today

Good afternoon all my battling buddies. Currently in my first infusion right now via IV-going very well: 7-9 hours initial neoadjuvent THCP chemo. Getting port on 2/10 with 2nd of 6 infusions set for 2/14. Not sure if I should be in January or February start group, so reaching out to both (more friends with great insight, I figure--hopefully you amazing Mods will set me straight). I found my nugget the end of August 2016, and when asked for the afternoon off for mammo, was fired ("Everybody loves you, you do great work, but we are a small litigation firm that can't tolerate the potential accommodations that can come from this." Then the female partner added, "and Im well aware of the emotional problems that can come from this and its not fair to the firm." Then seeing my mortified face laying on the floor quickly added, "its not fair to you either." On they went "We're giving you two weeks severance and wish you nothing but the best." Wow). No, its not legal, but it happens. A lot more than you think. Colorado unemployment nightmare (won), coupled with Cobra, Medicaid and two separate grant nightmares. Guess what? I got the job of my dreams, started 12/5--immediate benes, great insurance, incredible support, and am on my journey in a much better place! Hindsight is not only 20/20, but it was meant to happen this way, for me. That higher power, the one I was screaming profanities not so long ago, made the clouds part? I like to think so. It, and the great advice of experts and community posts on this site, got me to this great place today. I'm developing a healthy cancer comedy routine (my fabulous support system not finding it funny, just yet). But, wanted to (finally) take part in this community, offer what I can, and thank each and every one of you for being here, sharing support, and giving loving information like no others can. This is by far the best site this professional researcher has found. Hope to be part of that now. Any questions? Throw them my way--I will try to be short--not so much fluff like this first post. Just a little emotionally charged today (in a good way). Hang in there all--this TOO shall pass. "Pray to God, but row for shore!" Old Amish proverb so appropriate here. Big hugs all around! Take care!!

erinmyhead, Wow! What an experience with your job. I can't believe there are people out there like that. I'm so glad you found an even better opportunity. I'm sorry we are all going through this, but this wonderful site makes it seem like we're in this together. Best of luck to you in your treatments!

Runmommy, Welcome to the group. I'm so sorry that you are joining us. Keep your energy up. I''m not sure how you all do this with little ones. My baby is 18 and can at least help take care of me. I'm on T/C and was really tired for a week, so I know what you're saying.